Former Coup Supporter Joins Rabuka
It was a coup that had caused a civil upheaval like never before, Speight’s coup, like the 1987 coup led by Sitiveni Rabuka had displaced a great number of the Indo-Fijian population.
Wednesday 19 October 2022 | 09:30
A man convicted for his role in the 2000 coup was named a provisional candidate for The People’s Alliance on Monday.
Ratu Peceli Rinakama is back again in the political arena, switching allegiance from Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) to The PA.
It has been widely reported that Ratu Peceli was one of the instigators of the 2000 Civilian Coup which saw the segregation of ethnic groups in Fiji.
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It was a coup that had caused a civil upheaval like never before, Speight’s coup, like the 1987 coup led by Sitiveni Rabuka had displaced a great number of the Indo-Fijian population.
In 2004, Mr Rinakama was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison but his good behaviour earned him an early release in December 2005.
Who are we to judge?
Party leader, Mr Rabuka said Ratu Peceli was a supporter who had gone through those periods, he’s been dealt with by the law and now he is a free person.
“Who are we to judge him again? That is double jeopardy,” Mr Rabuka said.
When queried on what particular message the party intends to portray for allowing a former coup supporter to contest under the PA banner, Mr Rabuka said people get tangled with the law once they face justice, after that they are as free as any other ordinary citizen.
“They are free citizens, they are welcome to stand for institutions like Parliament,” Mr Rabuka said.
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