Vakadranu appeals 14 year sentence for rape

Leave has been granted by the Fiji Court of Appeal to hear the appeal case of the Pastor of the Back to Eden Church Ministry, Iowane Vakadranu who was jailed in 2016 for raping two members of his church.

Vakadranu is appealing his conviction and sentence.

Vakadranu was sentenced to 14 years 2 months imprisonment by Justice Vinsent Perera.

The Judge had set a non parole period of 12 years 2 months.

The Pastor had raped two members of his church between 1st October, 2012 to 31st August, 2014 in Labasa and Tailevu.

Vakadranu had given the two victims leadership roles in his church and made them believe that he is their doctor and preached to them that he is their spouse.

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