Bainimarama walks free with suspended sentence

Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was met with a large crowd of loyal supporters outside the Suva Courthouse this afternoon, many of whom waited patiently to congratulate him after he narrowly avoided a jail sentence.

In a dramatic turn of events, the High Court in Suva handed Bainimarama a suspended sentence. Justice Thushara Rajasinghe sentenced him to one-year imprisonment, suspended for three years.

This means that if Bainimarama commits another offence within the next three years, the suspended sentence will be activated and he will serve the full term. Importantly, his current pending case will not be affected by this custodial sentence.

Bainimarama becomes the first person to be convicted under the charge of making an unwarranted demand.

The charge stems from a 2021 incident in which he gave then Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu an ultimatum: either terminate two police officers found guilty of unlawfully photographing Bainimarama’s late brother, Jonacani Bainimarama, or resign from his post.

As the verdict was delivered, emotions ran high. Bainimarama’s family members, overwhelmed with relief, broke down in tears. His lawyer, Fatima Gul, also wept openly, visibly moved by the outcome. The courtroom atmosphere was heavy with emotion, as supporters outside erupted in cheers, celebrating what they saw as a victory for their leader. 

Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama celebrates with a loyal supporter outside the High Court in Suva following his sentencing on October 22, 2025.

Photo: Ronald Kumar

Ruling explained

In his ruling, Justice Rajasinghe found no evidence of sophisticated planning or the use of violence in committing this offence. 

“Your actions did not specifically target any vulnerability of Mr Tudravu, but you exploited your position as Prime Minister to intimidate him by making these unwarranted demands with menace,” Justice Rajasinghe told Bainimarama. 

“It did not involve any fraudulent element aimed at obtaining monetary or material advantage or causing financial or material loss to State.” 

Justice Thushara Rajasinghe said the one-year sentence was based on the seriousness of the offence, Bainimarama’s lower level of responsibility, and the moderate harm caused. However, because Bainimarama had a prior conviction, he was not eligible for a reduced sentence.

“The court is satisfied that this conviction would be a deterrence from committing any other future crimes,” Justice Rajasinghe said.

Both Bainimarama and the prosecution now have 30 days to appeal the decision at the Fiji Court of Appeal. 

The case

Bainimarama was found guilty and convicted on October 2 for making unwarranted demands to Mr Tudravu.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe said the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Bainimarama was charged with one count of making unwarranted demands after allegedly instructing Mr Tudravu to either dismiss two police officers who had photographed his brother during a drug investigation or resign from his post.

He appeared alongside former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho, who faced two counts of abuse of office over his review of the officers’ disciplinary action and their subsequent termination. Qiliho was acquitted on all charges.

Justice Rajasinghe ruled that the police search on the late Jonacani Bainimarama, the former Prime Minister’s brother, on May 21, 2021 was unreasonable.

The court accepted Mr Tudravu’s testimony that he had received a phone call from Bainimarama in September 2021, not an in-person meeting, as earlier suggested. The judge further accepted Mr Tudravu’s interpretation of Bainimarama’s instructions as unwarranted demands

Finding Mr Tudravu’s account credible, Justice Rajasinghe noted that the then Acting Commissioner had no motive to fabricate his story. While there was no evidence that Bainimarama exerted control over Qiliho, the judge ruled that Mr Tudravu’s evidence was sufficient to establish the charge.