Qarase Charged

Ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court in the last hour and pleaded not guilty to his latest charge of abuse of office.

It is alleged that on May 14th, 2004, while Qarase was the Prime Minister and Minister for Fijian Affairs, and Chairman of the Fijian Affairs Board he allegedly authorised the inappropriate usage of the extinct mataqali funds by the Native Land Trust Board.

Magistrate Aminiasi Katonivualiku granted bail to Qarase at a sum of $500 without assurity and called on the prosecution to amalgamate a separate case of alleged abuse of office against Qarase with the new case to enable both cases to be dealt with at the same time.

The case is adjourned to 23rd June for mention.

Meanwhile Qarase is also charged with abuse of office in relation to Fijian Holdings Limited.