Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga has spoken out forcefully against what he describes as serious misreporting and misinformation regarding the sentencing of Chinese national Yin Qing Qing, which he argues has led to unnecessary public outrage and unjust criticisms of the judicial system.
Turaga emphasized that Qing was not sentenced for drug possession, contrary to widespread claims on social media. Instead, he explained that the sentence delivered on January 20 was under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which followed the withdrawal of the initial drug possession charge as inquiries developed—a common legal practice.
Qing was convicted under Section 70 of the Proceeds of Crime Act, which stipulates a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Turaga noted that the court imposed a 14-month sentence, but after accounting for the four months already served during remand, the effective term was reduced to 10 months.
In his remarks, Turaga condemned the trend of public criticism directed at magistrates and underscored the dangers of such behavior, asserting that it misrepresents the principles of justice. He stated, “That’s not free speech. That’s abuse,” and hinted at potential legal actions for contempt and defamation against those who disseminate false information.
Furthermore, he firmly rejected allegations suggesting he or his office had any influence over the case’s sentencing, reiterating that under the Constitution, the decision lies solely with the independent judiciary and any appeal would be managed by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Turaga expressed concern that inaccurate reporting fuels misinformation, which erodes public confidence in the legal system. He emphasized the importance of precise reporting, describing it as an obligation rather than an option. Overall, his comments aim to reinforce the integrity of the judicial process and remind the public of the responsibilities tied to freedom of speech.
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