11 Apr 2019

Jailed Fiji chief gets appeal hearing

5:31 pm on 11 April 2019
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Photo: 123RF

A Fiji high chief, sentenced to life in prison in 2011 for inciting mutiny at the country's military barracks in 2000, will have his appeal heard next month in Suva.

The Fiji Times reported Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, who instigated the mutiny, became eligible for parole last month.

The 2000 rebellion was aimed at assassinating then military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama - who is now the prime minister.

A high chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata was given a life sentence for instigating the 2000 mutiny but in early 2007 the appeal court quashed the ruling and he was released from prison after serving 31 months.

In 2010, Takiveikata was jailed again when he was given a seven-year prison sentence for plotting to kill Commodore Bainimarama in late 2007.

Eight soldiers died in the 2000 mutiny - three loyal to the government, the others assaulted and killed in a revenge action which is still to be fully investigated.