23 Oct 2007

Three Vanuatu MPs to appear in court next month on fraud charges

3:33 pm on 23 October 2007

Three Vanuatu MPs are to appear in court next month facing charges in connection to the country's biggest fraud investigation.

MPs Dunstan Hilton, Malon Hosmander and Noel Tamata and the former first political secretary in the ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andre Lesines, are facing charges of forgery and theft.

All four are members of the People's Progressive Party of the former deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sato Kilman.

When reports of PPP's alleged involvement in the fraud case emerged in July, the party was ejected from the coalition government.

The four are due to enter their pleas in court on November the 6th.

Meanwhile, the Indo-Fijian fugitive believed to have masterminded the fraud of about 300,000 US dollars remains in Fiji where he is reported to be facing criminal charges.

Vanuatu police say they are yet to receive a response from Fiji to an extradition request for Salendra Sen Sinha.