Fiji Times Limited pleads not guilty

Fiji Times Limited has pleaded not guilty to the charge of inciting communal antagonism.

They have also challenged the admissibility of the caution interview.

The defence counsel has been given time till 30th November to file their submissions.

Fiji Times Limited General Manager and Publisher Hank Arts, Editor in Chief Fred Wesley, Nai Lalakai Editor Anare Ravula and contributor Josaia Waqabaca have already pleaded not guilty to the charge of inciting communal antagonism.

The charges have been laid under the Crimes Decree in relation to an article published by the Fiji Times in its supplemental iTaukei language newspaper Nai Lalakai on 27th April, 2016.

It is alleged that Josaia Waqabaca, Anare Ravula, Fred Wesley, Hank Arts, and the Fiji Times Limited made, or caused to be published, a statement in the Nai Lalakai that is likely to incite dislike, hatred, or antagonism of the Muslim community.

According to the DPP, the Nai Lalakai statement reads:

“Ko ira na Musulomani era sega ni taukei kei Viti, sai ira nai lawalawa oqo era a curu botea na vanua eso ka dua vei ira ko Bangladesh mai Idia, kara vei vakamatei kina, kucuvi na nodra yalewa, ra vakararawataki na gone me yacova sara nira sa lewa ka sa nodra tu edaidai”

(Which has been translated by the DPP as “Muslims are not the indigenous of this country. These are people that have invaded other nations, for example, Bangladesh in India, where they killed, raped and abused their women and children. Today they have gone to the extent of having a part in the running of the country”).

The tentative trial date has been set from 5th to 16th June next year.

The maximum penalty for this charge is 10 years imprisonment.