27 Jul 2020

Fiji rugby star appeals rape sentence

5:05 pm on 27 July 2020

Convicted rapist and former Fiji sevens rugby star Amenoni Nasilasila is appealing against his eight-year sentence.

Amenoni Nasilasila in action for Fiji on the World Sevens Series.

Amenoni Nasilasila in action for Fiji on the World Sevens Series. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Nasilasila, who was jailed in September for raping a 24 year old, appeared in a Suva court today.

The 26-year-old had been at the centre of public outrage in recent weeks following reports he was training with a top local rugby club.

Women's rights advocates and civil society groups condemned the Corrections Service over its apparent preferential treatment of high-profile prisoners.

The Fiji Times reported the State had been instructed to file their response before 15 September when the matter would be called again.