6 Jun 2008

Fiji's ousted PM deplores delay in coup case ruling

11:00 am on 6 June 2008

Fiji's ousted prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, has expressed concern over the judiciary's delay in releasing its ruling on the legality of the 2006 military coup.

The case, which was brought by Mr Qarase, was heard in March but after it was closed the three judges advised that they were to deliver their ruling on notice.

The panel of judges to deliver the ruling is made up of the acting Chief Justice Anthony Gates, Justice Davendra Pathik and Justice John Byrnes.

Mr Qarase has told Fijilive that he is very concerned about the delay.

In June last year, the acting chief justice set October the second as the date to hear the case but it was then deferred to this year.