24 Apr 2017

Vanuatu anti-corruption advocate says justice has been served

10:28 am on 24 April 2017

An anti-corruption advocate in Vanuatu says she feels justice has been served, and has no problem with convicted MPs being released early.

Serge Vohor 2012

Serge Vohor Photo: Graham Crumb

On Friday, the former Prime Minister, Serge Vohor, and a former MP for Efate, Steven Kalsakau, were the first of 14 MPs who were jailed for corruption in 2015 to be granted parole.

Eleven of the other inmates are understood to have submitted their applications for parole, having served half their sentences.

The chair of Vanuatu Women Against Crime and Corruption, Jenny Ligo, said while some might disagree with them being released early she feels justice has been served.

"Vanuatu has seen justice done. The 14 MPs have served their time, they have learned their lessons, they have gone through a lot of crisis. In this case, justice has been done."

She said the politicians still had to abide by the conditions of their parole, and they are prohibited from standing for public office until 2025.

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