National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad has been charged with two counts of indecently insulting or annoying a person.
NFP General Secretary, Seni Nabou has released a statement saying Professor Biman Prasad has been informed that he has been charged with two counts of insulting the modesty of a person.
She says the charges read to him are that contrary to Section 213(1)(a) of the Crimes Act 2009, in that Prasad on the 22nd of July 2022 at the NFP office, Suva, allegedly hugged Ari Taniguchi and kissed her on the cheek in which he insulted the modesty of Taniguchi.
The second count says that contrary to Section 213(1)(a) of the Crimes Act 2009, in that Prasad on the 12th of August 2022 at the NFP office, Suva, allegedly hugged Ari Taniguchi and kissed her on the cheek in which he insulted the modesty of Taniguchi.
Nabou says they are limited by law on what further information they can provide to the public at this point.
Meanwhile Police Commissioner, Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho says Professor Prasad has been bailed for his first court appearance on 15th November 2022.
Commissioner Qiliho says after having received a complaint, a thorough investigation was conducted and finalised earlier this week.
He says Professor Prasad was brought into CID for questioning in the presence of his legal representative and chose to remain silent.
Qiliho says he was subsequently charged.
The Commissioner says the evidence gathered in this matter is similar to a case involving a high profile member of the community who was recently found guilty in a court of law.
Qiliho says the Fiji Police Force is an independent body vested with the responsibility of conducting investigations following the receipt of complaints and has the powers to lay charges in accordance with the evidence gathered.
Police will not be making any further comments regarding this matter as it is now before the courts.
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