FICAC has today requested for former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase’s application for bail to be dismissed.
Qarase’s lawyer, Tupou Draunidalo wants Qarase to be granted bail pending his appeal against conviction and 12 months sentence.
FICAC lawyer, Vincent Parera today told Justice Suresh Chandra that the three assessors and the presiding judge in Qarase’s Fijian Holdings Limited trial unanimously found Qarase guilty of six counts of abuse of office and three counts of discharging his duty with respect to property in which he had a private interest.
Parera said the Fiji Court of Appeal should be careful to change the decision.
Draunidalo said Qarase has never breached his bail conditions, his passport is with the court and he has two sureties who are businesspeople.
She said in the past, people involved in cases of murder, possession of drugs, abduction of an 8 year girl have been granted bail.
Draunidalo asked the court if Qarase could be granted bail now while his appeal process is heard in February next year.
Justice Chandra will deliver his ruling on notice.
Qarase was handed down the one year prison sentence in August.
Story by: Vijay Narayan and Tokasa Rainima
