Fiji Trades Union Congress and National Workers Union general secretary Felix Anthony has been ordered to keep out of trouble by Magistrate Waleen George.

This is after Anthony was granted bail at the Magistrates Court in Suva where he appeared today (June 28, 2019) charged with one count of malicious act.

Anthony is alleged to have knowingly spread abroad by word of mouth, to Fiji Times journalist Felix Chaudhary, false news relating to the expiry of Water Authority of Fiji’s workers contracts, false news which tended to create or foster public anxiety.

The alleged offence took place on April 26, 2019 in Suva. Anthony was detained by Police from his house in Lautoka on Thursday evening. He was brought to Suva this morning to appear in court.

Anthony was represented by lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo while Rajneel Kumar from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions appeared as the State prosecutor.

The charge was read to Anthony in English language and Anthony understood the charge laid against him.

Magistrate George granted bail to Anthony on the bail sum of $500. She ordered Anthony not to interfere with any of the prosecution witnesses, keep out of trouble while on bail, reside at his fixed residential address in Lautoka, and not to reoffend while on bail.

Mr Kumar requested time to file full phase of disclosures and had not objected to the bail application made by defence lawyer on the grounds that Anthony was a first offender.

The matter was adjourned for ODPP to serve the court and defence with full phase of disclosures on August 15.