Prominent lawyer Devanesh Sharma

Prominent lawyer Devanesh Sharma says the fight is not over.

Sharma made the comments to FBC News after former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho were escorted out of the Court House by police following their sentencing.

Sharma says this is not the end of the fight.

“We have options after this; this fight is not over yet. We will appeal. Like they have the right to appeal, we have the right to appeal as well, and that’s exactly what we are going to do.”

Sharma says he was expecting a suspended sentence for his clients.

Sharma says they will apply for bail pending appeal and a suspension of the sentence.

He states that they will get Qiliho to sign the affidavit as there is also a case coming up for mention tomorrow while taking their chances in court.

Referring to Magistrate Puamu’s sentencing, Sharma thought that she had applied the right provision under the Sentencing and penalties act.

Sharma highlights that their clients are very tough as they have been in far worse situations than this.

He reiterates that they will also apply for early release for Bainimarama.

Sharma’s co-counsel, Gul Fatima, was teary as she walked out of court.

Hundreds of people were outside the court premises as Bainimarama and Qiliho got sentenced.

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