Former prime minister Laisenia Qarase of Fiji has been sentenced to one year in prison for his convictions for corruption-related offences dating back to the 1990s.
Qarase received 12 months for six charges of abuse of office and six months for three charges relating to discharge of duty as a public servant, to be served concurrently.
Fawyers for the former prime minister had asked for a non-custodial sentence with an option for community work.
High Court judge Priyantha Fernando took into account mitigating factors such as Qarase's previously clear record, character references and poor health.
But he said the gravity of the offending meant that a prison term was warranted and the sentence could not be suspended.
