Sedition Conviction Excludes SODELPA’s Bulitavu, Fiji United Freedom Party’s Karunaratne From Contesting 2018 Election
SODELPA Member of Parliament and 2018 provisional candidate Mosese Bulitavu and leader of Fiji United Freedom Party Jagath Karunaratne were convicted by the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon.
The conviction excludes Bulitavu from contesting the 2018 General Election race and the vacation of his parliamentary seat accordingly.
It also excludes Karunaratne and leaves the future of his party in a dilemma.
Bulitavu and Karunaratne were charged with one count of sedition and convicted by Magistrate Deepika Prakash.
The judgment was summarised in open court and both parties were told that the written judgment would be provided at a later date once minor corrections were made.
The duo were found to have spray painted words at different places between Nausori and Suva with the seditious intention of bringing hatred against the Government in 2011.
Bulitavu was represented by Suva lawyer Barbara Malimali while Karunaratne was represented by Lautoka lawyer Aman Ravindra-Singh.
Defence counsels sought time to prepare mitigation for the two accused men.
Ms Malimali told Magistrate Prakash that she intends to call character witnesses to mitigate and give evidence for the defence.
Counsels were advised to tender affidavits for the same before the next court date, however oral submissions could be made on the day.
They were further advised to provide written submissions.
Magistrate Prakash extended bail for Bulitavu and Karunaratne and adjourned the case to April 19, 2018 for sentencing.
In a message posted on social media yesterday after his conviction, Bulitavu thanked his fellow Fijians for their support.
“I have been convicted for sedition awaiting sentence.
“It means I cannot stand for the 2018 elections and also will be vacating my Member of Parliament seat,” Bulitavu said.
He acknowledged SODELPA executives, officials and members for their support including fellow members of parliament.
“I thank the Vanua of Caumatalevu, Macuata, for the support and I can confirm that SODELPA will get a better candidate to represent you in the upcoming elections,” Bulitavu said.
Who replaces Bulitavu?
It is understood that Tui Namuka, Ratu Tevita Navurelevu Niumataiwalu is next in line as the next Opposition Member of Parliament once Bulitavu vacates his seat.
However, this is subject to the Electoral Commission’s approval and the next parliament sitting.
Edited by Percy Kean
