The High Court has sentenced a 49-year-old security guard to life imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole period of 16 years and 11 months, for murder and for causing grievous harm. Joni Raciri appeared before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu yesterday.
On October 12, 2023, Raciri pleaded guilty to both charges. Justice Bulamainaivalu stated that he began with a four-year sentence, increasing it by an additional four years due to aggravating factors, which included the severity of the injuries and the emotional and psychological trauma caused by the attack. The victim was particularly vulnerable due to intoxication, and Raciri had prevented the victim from escaping.
Taking into account the overall context of the case, Justice Bulamainaivalu ordered that the sentences for both charges run concurrently, resulting in a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years and 11 months. Raciri has 30 days to appeal the decision to the Fiji Court of Appeal.