The first prosecution witness in the alleged sedition trial of Fiji Times staff, has told the Suva High Court that two stakeholders including the Muslim and iTaukei were reflected in the article published in the Nai Lalakai on 27th April 2016.

Writer Josaia Waqabaca, Nai Lalakai Editor Anare Ravula, Editor in Chief, Fred Wesley and Publisher Hank Arts are on trial for alleged sedition and aiding and abetting.

During cross exmination, state witness, Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs Naipote Katonitabua was asked for clarification on his disagreement with content in the article.

Katonitabua said some content in the article did not uphold the principle of being truthful to God.

He said some comments in the article promoted separation of ethnic groups mainly the Muslim and iTaukei.

Waqabaca is charged with one count of sedition and it is alleged that between the 20th and 27th April 2016 he did a seditious act and submitted an article in the Nai Lalakai newspaper which could have caused an ill-will and hostility between the population of Fiji particularly the Muslims and the Non-Muslims.

Ravula is charged with one count of aiding and abetting and it is alleged that he aided Arts to publish an article which was a seditious publication.

Wesley is charged with one count of aiding and abetting and it is alleged that he aided Arts to publish an article which was a seditious publication.

Arts is charged with one count of sedition and it is alleged that he published an article on 27th April which could have caused an ill-will and hostility between the population of Fiji particularly the Muslims and the Non-Muslims.

The trial continues before High court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe.