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Issue No: 823; 5 June 2001
Fiji is witnessing an increasing trend in the number of violent criminals who are bailed out by the country's magistrates. One particular magistrate has been known for releasing violent criminals on bail. Magistrate Aminiasi Katovualiku bailed out one of the robbers involved in a $200,000 jewellery heist in Suva two weeks ago. The bail was put at $500. Earlier Katovualiku had bailed out those charged with the Superfresh robbery earlier this year. The release of the first accused led to the release of the others accused in the $70,000 robbery carried out with automatic guns. The Fiji Sun has called the release of violent robbers "funny game". Most magistrates in Fiji have come under heavy criticism for lenient sentences for criminals and terrorists. The problem has reached a stage where magistrates, ranging from the Chief Magistrate Salesi Temo, to newly appointed ones, are being viewed as `collaborators' with the terrorists and criminals. |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
