Tonga's former police minister, Clive Edwards, has been arrested and charged with two counts of sedition in connection with last November's riot in Nuku'alofa.
Mr Edwards was refused bail when he appeared in the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court yesterday.
The Tonga Broadcating Corporation reports that Mr Edwards told the court there was no point keeping him in police custody because under the Constitution he has the right not to answer any questions.
But the prosecution told the hearing that evidence showed the accused could interfere with witnesses.
Magistrate, Salesi Mafi, acknowledged that Mr Edwards had the right not to answer any questions but he was concerned with the evidence that the accused could interfere with witnesses.
He ordered that Mr Edwards be remanded in police custody until Monday, 5th Feburary, when his bail is expected to be set.