Naitasiri High Chief, the Qaranivalu Ratu Inoke Takiveikata will be sentenced this morning by the Suva High Court after he was found guilty of inciting the November 2000 attempted mutiny at Queen Elizabeth Barracks.
The offence of inciting mutiny carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment under the Sentencing Decree 2010 however the presiding Judge has discretionary powers to impose a life sentence.
Ratu Inoke is currently serving a seven year term after being convicted on charges of plotting to assassinate the Prime Minister and others and was sentenced in March last year.
The State has called for a life sentence or a consecutive sentence to Ratu Inoke’s current term to reflect the totality of the injustice caused by his actions, the need for deterrence and the degree of the offending itself.
Takiveikata had initially served 2 years and 7 months behind bars before being released after he won his appeal and his initial conviction was quashed.
Defence has pleaded for mercy and asked for a concurrent sentence to Takiveikata’s current term in prison.
Judge Justice Daniel Goundar will sentence Ratu Inoke at 9 o’clock this morning.
Story by: Roneel Lal
Feature
Takiveikata to be sentenced today
