Former teacher awaits sentence appeal ruling

Judgment in the case of self-proclaimed Facebook publisher Kishore Kumar, convicted of online attacks against Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua, is expected today at the High Court in Suva.

Kumar, a former teacher, appeared in court ahead of a scheduled ruling on appeals against his suspended sentence for charges of online harm and criminal intimidation.

He appeared before Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull yesterday afternoon.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has challenged the sentence, arguing it was too lenient given the seriousness of the offences.

The State is seeking a guideline judgment to inform sentencing for similar cybercrime offences in the future.

The charges relate to a series of Facebook posts in which Kumar allegedly targeted Ms Qereqeretabua with threatening and abusive content.

The court previously heard that the posts were intended to cause harm and fear, forming the basis of the criminal intimidation charge, while the nature of the online communications led to his conviction for harmful digital conduct.

Kumar was earlier handed a suspended sentence, which is now under review following the State’s appeal.

The court is expected to determine whether the original penalty will be upheld or revised.

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