Naval officer testifies in Harmat trial

A Navy officer who was on duty on the day when former military top gun, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara is alleged to have been picked up by a Tongan vessel told the Magistrates Court in Suva that he did not see any foreign vessel in Fiji waters.

Anare Rasumusumu who was the Officer in charge at the Maritime Search and Rescue on the night of May 9,2011 while testifying in the trial of Estonian national Risto Harmat  told the court that there were a few local vessels fishing near the Kadavu waters.

However, during the period from May 8 and 9 Rasumusumu recalled that the Fiji navy was monitoring a vessel from Kiribati which had informed the Regional Surveillance office before entering the Fijian waters.

Harmat faces one count of obstructing the course of justice.

The last state witness will take the stand tomorrow.

By Indrani Krishna