Former MP Mosese Bulitavu says he will make a decision next week on whether he will be contesting the 2018 General Elections.
This is after the Suva High court allowed him and businessman Jagath Karunaratne’s appeal against conviction and sentence today.
The duo have been released on bail and a retrial has been ordered by the Suva High court.
After the judgment this afternoon, Bulitavu said he will make a decision next week on whether to contest the 2018 elections.
”That was one of the reason why we had appealed for the conviction at the Magistrates court but first of all I would like to thank the Lord for his provision and his favor and to date thank our families back in overseas and Fiji not forgetting my inmates, we formed a good prayer team back at the correction center”
Karunaratne said the experience in and out of prison has made him stronger.
“Happy and at the same time, I do not know what to say but how do I, how can I compensate to the tears of my family.”
Bulitavu and Karunaratne were handed custodial sentence by the Magistrates court in April after they were convicted of one count each of sedition.
In his judgment, High Court Judge Justice Vincent Perera noted a substantial miscarriage of justice in relation to the conviction.
The Judge said according to the charge and the evidence led the offense was allegedly committed jointly by more than one person and there was clear evidence that Biulitavu and Karunaratne did not spray paint the alleged words themselves.
Bulitavu was sentenced to two years five months and thirteen days imprisonment, while Karunaratne was sentenced to two years five months and sixteen days imprisonment in April this year.
It is alleged that the two spray painted words in different places between Nausori and Suva with the seditious intention of bringing into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against the Government.
The alleged incidents occurred between the 1st to the 27th of August 2011.
Bulitavu and Karunaratne have been ordered to appear at the Suva Magistrates court before a different Magistrate on the 24th September.
