Jail sentences in Fiji assassination plot

Published: 4:28PM Friday March 05, 2010

Source: ONE News/NZPA

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Jail sentences in Fiji assassination plot (Source: ONE News)

Frank Bainimarama - Source: ONE News

Three men, including a New Zealand citizen, have been sentenced to seven years in jail for plotting to assassinate Fiji's self-appointed Prime Minister and coup leader Frank Bainimarama.

Former CRW soldier Barbados Mills, Naitasiri high chief, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata and New Zealand businessman Sivaniolo Naulago received their seven-year jail sentenced on Friday afternoon by Judge Justice Paul Madigan.

In upholding the decision of five assessors on Thursday, Judge Madigan said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the men were guilty of conspiracy to murder.

Judge Madigan also sentenced former Fiji Intelligence Services Director Metuisela Mua to four years in prison.

Former CRW soldiers Feoko Gadekibau, Eparama Waqatairewa, Kaminieli Vosavere and Pauliasi Namulo, all received 2-3 years jail time.

Judge Madigan 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 plot

The court found on Thursday 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.

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