26 Nov 2013

Assessors in Fiji mutiny and sedition trial deliberate verdict

11:02 am on 26 November 2013

The three assessors in the trial of the former Land Force Commander Pita Driti, facing mutiny and sedition charges, have retired behind closed doors to deliberate their verdict.

It is alleged Pita Driti was involved in a plot to overthrow the government in 2010 and kill the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, by Christmas of the same year.

Fiji Village reports the High Court judge, Justice Paul Madigan, summed up the case this morning, and told the assessors that the court has no room for sympathy or prejudice.

Justice Paul Madigan told them they should take into account all the evidence presented in court and reminded them that he is the judge of the law, and they are the judges of the facts.

Justice Madigan says the assessors' political views should not cloud their judgement and it should not matter how they feel about the Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, or the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.