17 Jul 2018

Fiji opposition candidate not charged

1:47 pm on 17 July 2018

No charges will be laid against an opposition candidate in Fiji's upcoming general election over alleged hate speech on social media.

In December, the director of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Ashwin Raj, lodged a complaint with the police about Ezekiel Sharma, who is standing for SODELPA.

Mr Raj reportedly accused Mr Sharma of propagating hate speech on social media and inciting ill feelings, particularly towards Muslims.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, said there was not enough evidence to prosecute over the alleged Facebook comments.

"Following a review of the police docket and the evidence, it is our opinion that there is insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against Ezekiel Sharma and therefore the docket has been returned to police and the file closed," Mr Pryde said in a statement.