The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Christopher Pryde, has sanctioned charges of inciting communal antagonism against Josaia Waqabaca, Anare Ravula, Fred Wesley, Hank Arts, and the Fiji Times Ltd under section 65 (2) (a) (i) and section 53 (1) of the Crimes Decree in relation to an article published by the Fiji Times in its supplemental iTaukei language newspaper Nai Lalakai on 27 April 2016.

It is alleged that Josaia Waqabaca, Anare Ravula, Fred Wesley, Hank Arts, and the Fiji Times Ltd made, or caused to be published, a statement in the iTaukei language Nai Lalakai newspaper that is likely to incite dislike, hatred, or antagonism of the Muslim community.

The statement reads: “Ko ira na Musulomani era sega ni taukei kei Viti, sai ira nai lawalawa oqo era a curu botea na vanua eso ka dua vei ira ko Bangladesh mai Idia, kara vei vakamatei kina, kucuvi na nodra yalewa, ra vakararawataki na gone me yacova sara nira sa lewa ka sa nodra tu edaidai”

(Translated as “Muslims are not the indigenous of this country. These are people that have invaded other nations, for example, Bangladesh in India, where they killed, raped and abused their women and children. Today they have gone to the extent of having a part in the running of the country”).

The matter was be called for first mention today.