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Fred Wesley
Image: THE FIJI TIMES
Bula vinaka
Here’s a look at some of the headlines in The Fiji Times’ edition for Saturday, April 10.
The lead story on
FICAC prosecutions
THE United States Department of State claims some high profile Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) prosecutions could be viewed as politically motivated. In its 2020 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Fiji, the US State Department said Fijian law provided criminal penalties for corruption by officials but Government did not implement the law effectively.
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Autism awareness
ENCOURAGE their strengths, celebrate their achievements and improve their weaknesses. This was the message from Suva Retailers Association president Jitesh Patel during the Autism Awareness Day celebration at Suva Special School yesterday.
Apr 08, 2021 03:08:05 PM Political activist and Lautoka based businessman Benjamin Padarath was told to deactivate his Facebook account as he was granted bail by the Magistrates Court in Ba today. Resident Magistrate Samuela Qica released Padarath on strict bail conditions. He will need to report to the nearest Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) office twice a month, should not interfere with prosecution witnesses and surrender all his travel documents. FICAC charged Padarath with sedition and attempting to defeat the course of justice. It is alleged that Padarath, on or about 28 March, 2021, at Lautoka, did an act with seditious intention words by posting information pertaining to an ongoing investigation by Commission.
Fiji s Opposition has condemned the manner in which people are repeatedly arrested and detained in the country.
The concerns were raised in parliament following the arrest of a political activist last week over a post on social media the government claimed intended to bring about hatred or excite disaffection in the country.
Ben Padarath.
Photo: Facebook
Ben Padarath was detained by the Independent Commission Against Corruption and appeared in court charged with sedition.
He was also charged for attempting to defeat the course of justice, destroying evidence and disobedience of lawful orders.
Padarath was alleged to have acted with seditious intention or uttered seditious words by posting information relating to an ongoing investigation on Facebook by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Litia Cava
Rahul Kumar (maroon shirt) arriving at the Suva Magistrates Court this morning. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA
A former employee of the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts who allegedly laundered more than $300,000 from the ministry appeared this morning at the Suva Magistrates Court.
Rahul Kumar was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception, one count of unauthorised modification of data and 56 counts of money laundering.
The alleged offence took place between 2017 and 2019.
Mr Kumar has been granted bail and will reappear in court on May 11.
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