GUILTY

Naitasiri high chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata has been found guilty of inciting mutiny by High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar in the last hour.

Justice Goundar highlighted in court that the accused is convicted as charged on the charge of inciting mutiny on 2nd November, 2000.

While delivering his verdict, Judge Goundar told the court that it was not in dispute that the mutiny occurred in 2000.

He said in relation to Captain Shane Stevens’ evidence, he was obstructive when questioned by Police, however, two witnesses that showed credible evidence were Sergeant Manoa Bonafasio and Maciu Turagacati.

Judge Goundar said he was satisfied that the two men told the truth in court.

He will sentence Ratu Inoke Takiveikata at 9.30am tomorrow.   

The maximum sentence for inciting mutiny is life imprisonment.

All the five assessors found Ratu Inoke guilty of inciting mutiny earlier today.

The assessors had retired behind closed doors just after 11am and it took them less than 40 minutes to come back with a unanimous guilty verdict.

After the three week trial, Justice Goundar summed up the case for the assessors earlier today and stressed that Ratu Inoke holds the title of Qaranivalu which is the paramount chief of Natasiri, however, the law treats everyone equally.

Justice Goundar also told them to consider the fact that the memory of the witnesses is based on events that occurred 10 years ago and they must make allowance for the passage of time and that memories fade and people cannot remember things clearly.


Story by: Tokasa Rainima/Vijay Narayan/Roneel Lal