High Court orders release of TikToker’s phone

The High Court in Lautoka has ordered the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Fiji Police Force to release a Samsung A56 phone to the lawyer of TikToker Ana Masere.

Masere, 40, appeared before Justice Sunil Sharma in Lautoka yesterday.

She is charged with allegedly posting a video on TikTok containing derogatory comments about another woman.

Masere faces two counts of causing harm by posting electronic communications under the Online Safety Act and two counts of insulting or annoying a person under the Crimes Act.

She is represented by Viraat Anand, while the State is represented by Laisiasa Baleilevuka.

Mr Baleilevuka told the court that the CID in Suva had custody of the phone, which was being kept in its exhibit room.

Justice Sharma then ordered that the phone be released to Masere’s lawyer.

“The Director of the CID of the Fiji Police Force is hereby ordered to release the Samsung A56 phone to counsel for the applicant,” Justice Sharma said.

He said this was the only outstanding issue before the court.