Court orders interpreter for Hungarian national facing drug charges

A High Court judge has raised concerns about language barriers faced by a Hungarian national accused of importing nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine into Fiji.

Hungarian national Fonta Laszlo appeared before Justice Sunil Sharma in the High Court in Lautoka yesterday.

Laszlo faces one count of unlawful importation of illicit drugs and two counts of unlawful possession of illicit drugs under the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004.

The charges stem from an operation at Nadi International Airport on April 17, where authorities allegedly discovered about five kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in passenger baggage following intelligence-led targeting and risk profiling.

The court heard that Laszlo does not fully understand English and primarily communicates in Hungarian and Russian.

Justice Sharma directed the court registry to arrange a Russian-language interpreter before the next hearing to ensure Laszlo fully understands the proceedings.

The judge also questioned how a visitor who did not speak English was able to navigate Fiji and communicate with border officials while travelling on a visitor visa.

Laszlo was represented by Litia Vateitei of Astas Law, while the State was represented by Emi Cabemaiwai.

No bail application was made.

The matter was adjourned to June 25 for plea.