Pacific / Nauru

Nauru MPs unsure if lawyers will get visas in time for hearings

09:15 am on 19 November 2015

Nauru's opposition MPs, fighting for their day in court, are still waiting to see whether their lawyers will be granted visas to enter the country.

Roland Kun has appealed the government's decision to cancel his passport, and ongoing procedural delays in the courts for five months have prevented him from returning to his family in New Zealand.

Three other MPs, Squire Jeremiah, Sprent Dabwido and Mathew Batsiua, were charged in connection with a June protest that the government says was a violent riot.

Three lawyers, David Lambourne, Jay Williams and Arthur Moses, have all been admitted to appear for the MPs, however the government has still not granted them visas to enter the country.

Mr Williams and Mr Moses have applied for the $4250 US dollar business visa, while Mr Lambourne, who is acting pro bono, has applied for a much cheaper Special Purpose Visa.

There are no lawyers on the island able to represent the MPs.

The next hearing is November the 23rd.

While Mr Kun's application for his own passport is in the courts, he has not been formally charged with any offence.

Former Nauru president Sprent Dabwido Photo: supplied