Fourteen former MPs serving jail time in Vanuatu are once again trying to clear their names, this time claiming they were protected by parliamentary immunity when they were prosecuted.
The Daily Post reports the 14, led by former prime minister Moana Carcasses, filed a constitutional case in the Supreme Court which had its first hearing on Wednesday.
Their application seeks to quash the court's decision last year that found them guilty of accepting money to cross the floor of parliament and change the government.
They claim that under the constitution, their rights as MPs were breached when they were prosecuted because there was an upcoming session of parliament, which they say grants them immunity.
Last month, most of the former MPs had extra time added to their sentences after they were found guilty of conspiracy for the then-speaker of parliament Marcellino Pipite's decision to pardon himself and the MPs.
Moana Carcasses outside court in Port Vila following his conviction Photo: RNZI / Hilaire Bule
