5 Jul 2006

Fiji coup convict back in court over challenge to early prison release

2:43 pm on 5 July 2006

Fiji's convicted former vice president, Ratu Jope Seniloli, has appeared in the Suva High Court again in a case challenging his early release from prison.

The civil case has been brought by the Citizens Constitutional Forum which is challenging the attorney general, Qoriniasi Bale's decision to release Seniloli from Suva prison after he had served only three months of his four year sentence.

The CCF wants the High Court to quash Seniloli's release and send him back to jail.

He is currently serving the remainder of his prison term from home.

Seniloli was jailed in August 2004 for taking an illegal oath to become the usurper president during the coup and proceeding to swear in George Speight's failed illegal administration.

Mr Bale released him from prison in November on a Compulsory Supervision Order in a move which coincided with Seniloli's decision to resign from the vice presidency.

Justice Jiten Singh has delayed ruling on the case because the attorney general has appealed against part of the proceedings that took place in an earlier hearing.

Justice Singh will deliver his judgment after the Fiji Court of Appeal has ruled on the attorney general's appeal.