Ben Padarath charged with sedition, destroying evidence & disobedience of lawful orders

Ben Padarath has been charged by FICAC with one count of sedition, attempting to defeat the course of justice, destroying evidence and disobedience of lawful orders.

Padarath was taken in earlier this week.

For the charge of sedition, Padarath is alleged to have done an act with seditious intention or uttered seditious words by posting information pertaining to an ongoing FICAC investigation on Facebook, with an intention to bring into hatred or excite disaffection against the administration of justice in Fiji.

In relation to the charge of attempting to defeat the course of justice, it is alleged that Padarath attempted to obstruct, prevent or defeat the course of justice by posting information pertaining to an ongoing FICAC investigation on Facebook.

It is also alleged that Padarath knowing that his mobile phone may be required in evidence in a judicial proceeding, willfully removed or destroyed the mobile phone, with the intent to prevent it from being used in evidence.

It is further alleged that Padarath refused to comply with a search warrant.

The case will be called again tomorrow.