A bench warrant has been issued for Apete Vereti who allegedly urged a person to burn down Suva City in December, eight years ago.

Vereti is charged with one count of urging political violence.

He was charged with two other people however the charges against the other two were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Vereti’s trial was supposed to start in the Suva Magistrates court yesterday however he failed to turn up to court.

A bench warrant has also been issued against the state’s main witness Waisea Kaloumaira who was also absent in court yesterday.

The matter has been adjourned to 5th July.