Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho have been released on bail by the Magistrates Court today after being charged with inciting mutiny, an offense under Section 72(1)(b) of the Crimes Act from 2009. Their court appearance, presided over by Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, concluded with the decision to grant bail despite the serious nature of the charges.
The Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, John Rabulu, did not oppose the bail request and sought an extension of 14 days to provide full disclosure of evidence to the court. The allegations against Bainimarama suggest that between January 1 and July 31, 2023, he communicated via Viber with Brigadier General Manoa Driuvakamaka Gadai in an effort to incite a takeover of command, challenging the authority of Jone Kalouniwai, the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF).
Furthermore, both Bainimarama and Qiliho are accused of jointly attempting to incite senior officers within the Fiji Military Forces between July 1 and July 31, 2023, to unlawfully arrest Kalouniwai and assume control over the military.
Upon their release, Bainimarama and Qiliho were required to meet several bail conditions, including having two sureties each, a stop departure order, a prohibition against reoffending or interfering with state witnesses, and a non-cash bail set at $5,000. In a procedural decision, both accused chose to have their case heard in the Magistrates Court rather than in the High Court. The next court date is set for March 5.
This notable development underscores the ongoing legal challenges that prominent political figures in Fiji are facing, reflecting a critical moment in the country’s political landscape.
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