A High Court application challenging a search warrant used to retain seven electronic devices belonging to Citizen Journalist Charlie Charter will be heard on Monday.
The matter was called before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu today.
Defence lawyer Juleen Fatiaki of Fatiaki Law said the seven devices had been seized by police on August 7, after Mr Charter’s solicitor, Seforan Fatiaki, attended the Criminal Investigations Department to uplift the devices following an order by the Magistrates’ Court for their release.
However, Mr Fatiaki was served with a search warrant and the devices were retained by police.
The defence argues the devices contain confidential and privileged material and has invoked Section 103 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Ms Fatiaki also told the court the information used to obtain the warrant did not indicate its relevance to Charter’s case, apart from listing the devices owned by him.
The court also heard that the search warrant was signed by Magistrate Sufia Hamza. When the judge asked Ms Fatiaki whether the magistrate was aware of his permanent stay ruling, Ms Fatiaki said she had no information on that.
The Commissioner of Police had yet to be served with the application.
Justice Bulamainaivalu directed that the motion and affidavit be served on the Commissioner of Police before Monday’s hearing.
