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Frank Bainimarama - Source: ONE News -
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New Zealand businessman Sivaniolo Naulago is among the eight men being sentenced in Suva for plotting to assassinate Fiji's self-appointed Prime Minister and coup leader Frank Bainimarama.
The eight men have been found guilty by the High Court in Fiji, and face up to 14 years in jail for conspiracy to murder.
In upholding the decision of five assessors on Wednesday, Judge Justice Paul Madigan says he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the men were guilty of conspiracy to murder.
He says he was also satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the men conspired with New Zealander Ballu Khan and others to commit the crime, Radio Fiji reported.
The eight men include Naulago, Naitasiri high chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, former Fiji Intelligence Services Director Metuisela Mua and former CRW soldiers Feoko Gadekibau, Barbados Mills, Eparama Waqatairewa, Kaminieli Vosavere and Pauliasi Namulo.
New Zealand is currently hesitant to interfere with the sentencing in Fiji.
"New Zealand provides consular support for our people when they are in Fiji. This situation currently - they are before the courts and frankly I really don't want to wade in even when it's in New Zealand," says Prime Minister John Key.
The plot
The court found that between August 1 and November 3, 2007, the eight and others plotted an assassination attempt.
Khan was arrested and severely beaten by authorities two years ago, but won a permanent stay of proceedings against him.
In theory, he cannot be retried.
"Anyone with even a very basic understanding of law would realise I wasn't part of that case (plotting to assassination Bainimarama). I am no longer part of that case (Bainimarama assassination plotting) and should not be part of any reference in the summing or judgement," says Khan.
However, Fiji courts now work by military decree after the abrogation of the constitution last year.
Justice Madigan, who was appointed by military decree, heard evidence from Fiji Military Intelligence that Khan was going to use arms and explosives from New Zealand.
Something Khan's lawyer Peter Williams scoffs.
"That Ballu Khan was going to bring enough arms to defeat the Fiji army - how ridiculous, how fanciful, what a betrayal of truth. It's (the accusations) absolutely despicable, quite frankly," he says.
It was also alleged in court the New Zealand High Commission knew of the plot and supported it.
The plotting was said to have taken place in Khan's Suva home - something he denied on Wednesday night.
"We never planned anything, they the military came up with the plan and it was like they themselves were planning something. We were the collateral in case something went wrong," he told the Dominion Post.
Lawyers for the eight men are expected to file their mitigation on Thursday morning before Justice Madigan is expected to sentence them by Friday afternoon.
