1 Sep 2016

Fiji Times court case to resume in three weeks

10:13 am on 1 September 2016

The court case against senior staff of the Fiji Times has been adjourned until 21st September when pleas are to be taken.

Four individuals were charged under the Crimes Decree with inciting communal antagonism over an article against Muslims printed in 2016.

The Fiji Times headquarters on Victoria Parade, Suva

The Fiji Times headquarters on Victoria Parade, Suva Photo: RNZI / Sally Round

It was written by Josaia Waqabaca, who was jailed after the 2000 coup, for his role in a plot to kidnap the then military commander, and now prime minister, Frank Bainimarama.

The charges were also laid against the Nai Lalakai editor Anare Ravula, the Fiji Times editor Fred Wesley, and its publisher Hank Arts.

The maximum penalty for the charge is 10 years imprisonment.

The prosecution wanted the four to be remanded but the judge released them on bail.