Suva, Fiji: Eight men charged with plotting to assassinate Fiji’s leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama have been found guilty by the island nation’s high court.
Justice Paul Madigan this afternoon told the court that he was satisfied with the decision by the five assessors.
The assessors found the eight - Naitasiri high chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, former Fiji Intelligence Service director Metuisela Mua, five former Counter Revolutionary Warfare soldiers Feoko Gadekibau, Barbados Mills, Eparama Waqatairewa, Kaminieli Vosavere and Pauliasi Romulo and former Pacific Connex manager Sivaniolo Naulago guilty of felony conspiracy to murder Commodore Bainimarama in November 2007.
Summing up the case, Justice Madigan said the assessors had “put aside any feelings of sympathy or prejudice for this court has no room for such things. You must arrive at your opinions calmly”.
Justice Madigan also told the assessors not to speculate but to rely only on evidence heard in court.
“When it comes to the facts of the case, it is your judgment alone that counts,” he said.
“In deciding the credibility of a witness, rely not only on what you hear but what you saw and how he responded to cross examination.”
The eight men are out on bail and will be sentenced at 10 am tomorrow. The charge carries a maximum of 14 years jail sentence.
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