Convicted

Former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase has today been convicted of six counts of abuse of office and three counts of discharge of duty with respect to property in which he has a private interest.

Presiding Judge, Justice Priyantha Fernando concurred with the three assessors that Qarase is guilty of all the nine counts.

He said he is satisfied that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Fernando said he also agrees with the assessors that for the six counts of abuse of office, Qarase abused his office for gain.

Qarase had a blank stare, sitting in the dock as Justice Fernando handed down his judgement in a packed court room.

His lawyer, Tupou Draunidalo then applied for bail pending sentencing.

She said it is Qarase's right to be given bail pending sentencing and he never breached bail conditions.

She also assured the judge that Qarase will report to the Police Station on a daily basis until he is sentenced and highlighted that his passport remains with the court.

After writing his ruling for a few minutes, Justice Fernando said bail is granted at the discretion of the court when the accused is convicted.

He then said that bail is granted to Qarase and he has to report to the Samabula Police Station between 4pm to 6pm daily until the sentencing.
 
The maximum sentence for abuse of office is three years imprisonment while the charge of discharging his duty with respect to property in which he has a private interest carries the maximum sentence of one year imprisonment.

According to the charges Qarase applied, and then facilitated and allowed the purchase of Class A FHL shares for certain companies when he was Director of FHL, Financial Advisor of the Fijian Affairs Board and Advisor to the Great Council of Chiefs.

The companies highlighted in the charges are Cicia Plantation Co-op Society Limited as Qarase was the company's financial adviser, Mavana Investments Limited where Qarase and his wife, Leba had shares and Q-Ten Investments which is a Qarase family owned company.

Mitigation and submissions on sentencing will commence at 9.30am tomorrow.

Qarase's lawyer is expected to call 4 to 5 character witnesses.

Stay with us for coverage on Qarase's mitigation and sentencing.

Story by: Vijay Narayan