14 Jun 2017

Fiji pastor faces multiple rape charges

3:15 pm on 14 June 2017

The trial is underway in Fiji of the leader of the Jezreel Lion of Judah church Jone Cokanauto who is facing multiple rape charges.

He was alleged to have raped and assaulted four women over a seven-year period from 2005 while he claimed to be acting on behalf of God.

According to testimony, Mr Cokanauto, who is in his 50s, told his congregation that all female members needed to be cleansed which happened by having sex with him.

One woman said she believed that having sex with him was a redeeming process biblically.

One woman gave birth to a boy when she was 18.