20 January, 2026, 3:02 pm Central - 30°C Rain

Guilty plea vacated in Samabula sacrilege case

Guilty plea vacated in Samabula sacrilege case

By Alipate Narawa
20/01/2026

The man who is accused of sacrilege in Samabula last July has had his guilty plea vacated in the Suva Magistrates Court.

28-year-old Samuela Tawase who has been representing himself before this, will now have his case handled by Legal Aid.

Tawase appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this morning.

The State has stated in court that they wish to pursue the case in the matter of public interest.

The State also told the court that Tawase caused $20,000 worth of damages according to the assessment made by those at the Samabula temple.

Tawase is charged with one count of sacrilege and one count of throwing an object.

It is alleged that the 28-year-old jumped the temple fence and destroyed the idols with a crowbar on the 13th of July last year.

Tawase will appear in court again on February 3rd where the court will decide on the trial date.

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