The judge in the trial of eight men charged with plotting to kill Fiji's interim Prime Minister has told assessors to put aside their political views while reaching a verdict.
Fiji Live reports that as Justice Paul Madigan summed up the case this morning he said the assessors should put aside any feelings of sympathy or prejudice, and arrive at their opinions calmly.
Justice Madigan also told them to rely only on what they had heard and seen in court, and how witnesses responded to cross examination.
The assessors have retired behind closed doors to come to a verdict.
The accused are 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 the former Pacific Connex manager Sivaniolo Naulago.
They are alleged to have plotted to assassinate Commodore Frank Bainimarama in 2007.
