In a landmark decision that could decide the fate of coup plotter George Speight, who is facing treason charges, Fiji's High Court today found his group had breached conditions for immunity. Justice Peter Surnam was giving judgement in an appeal by the state in a case of attempted murder against Speight supporter Isoa Karawa.
Karawa had been released by the magistrate's court on the grounds that he was covered by an immunity granted to Speight and his group in return for ending a siege of parliament. Karawa had faced charges over the shooting of a television cameraman shortly after the May 19 coup.
Overturning the magistrate's court decision, Surnam said conditions of the decree granting immunity had clearly been breached because all arms stolen by the coup plotter had not been returned to the military as required.
Bureau Report