Former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 3 years after being found guilty of making unwarranted demands to sack two Police officers.
This means that he will not be going into prison unless he commits an offence.
Speaking after the sentencing, Bainimarama thanked his lawyers, Devanesh Sharma and Gul Fatima.
He also acknowledged his family and friends for their support and prayers.
Before a packed court room this afternoon, High Court Judge, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe said that on the 2nd of October this year, it was proven that Bainimarama made unwarranted demands to sack two Police officers.
The judge has told Bainimarama that he deleted his viber message sent to the then Acting Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu, and then asked him to resign.
He said that as the Prime Minister, Bainimarama had a duty of responsibility to the people.
Justice Rajasinghe earlier found Bainimarama guilty for making an unwarranted demand to a public official.
Bainimarama, between the 21st of May 2021 to the 18th of August 2021 in Suva, as the Prime Minister of Fiji made an unwarranted demand with menace to the Acting Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu, by threatening his employment to influence the Acting COMPOL to comply with his unwarranted demand for the termination of the employment of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu who came under the supervision and authority of the Commissioner of Police.
The maximum penalty for the charge of making an unwarranted demand by a public official is 12 years imprisonment.
The judge has given 30 days to appeal the sentence.
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