forged passports

 Matangi Tonga reports the accused had initially pleaded not guilty but changed their pleas at the start of the case.

It involved a forged Tongan birth certificate on a passport application in the name of a non-existent person, 'James Connor Tameifuna.'

A former civil servant 'Isileli Kaumavae had created the false birth certificate; another civil servant, Sosefo Sione 'Ahohako, who worked at the Magistrate's Court office, made a false declaration that he knew the person.

A Police spokesperson said since November last year they have arrested and charged 11 people with various offences in relation to passport forgery.

The accused included Tongan and Chinese nationals who have pending trials in Nuku'alofa.

In November last year, four Tongan nationals were charged with forgery, receiving bribery, regarding a complaint over a passport application that allegedly used a forged birth certificate. Some of the accused were employees of the Ministry of Justice.

Matangi Tonga reports Gungchang Xiao and William Hu were stopped as they tried to leave Tonga at Fua'amotu International Airport on Monday with the forged documents.

The Crown claims the passports were forged because the two accused have allegedly never been nationalised as Tongan citizens.

The woman was arrested during a police search of a property in Ngele'ia.

Deputy Police Commissioner Viliami 'Unga Fa'aoa says four people have been charged so far in relation to the passport investigation and more charges are likely.