Fiji Trades Union Congress and National Workers Union general secretary Felix Anthony has pleaded not guilty to the charge of malicious act.

Anthony appeared before Magistrate Seini Puamau yesterday at the Magistrates Court in Suva, 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, at Suva.

Anthony was detained by the Police from his house in Lautoka on June 27.

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

Mr Vosarogo told the court that there were no admissions in the caution interview statement. Mr Shiraz also confirmed the same.

Magistrate Puamau adjourned the matter for a pre-trial conference to September 30.

Bail for Anthony was further extended.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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