SUVA (FijiVillage.com / Pacific Media Watch): The Citizens Constitutional Forum has been convicted and fined $20,000 while chief executive officer Reverend Akuila Yabaki has been convicted and handed a three month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, over criticism of Fiji's judiciary.
While handing down the sentence in the contempt of court case today, Justice William Calanchini also said Yabaki's sentence would be suspended on condition that Yabaki paid a $2000 fine within 28 days.
He also must pay costs of $2500 within 28 days to the Attorney-General's Office.
CCF also must pay $2500 in costs to the Attorney-General's Office within 28 days.
Justice Calanchini ruled that CCF must arrange an apology directed to the judiciary of Fiji.
This is to be drafted and submitted within 28 days to the court for approval.
Once the apology is approved, it has to be printed in the next edition of the CCF newsletter Tutaka.
CCF and Yabaki were found guilty of contempt scandalising the court on the basis that words in the article as understood by the newsletter's readers would have the effect of raising doubts in their minds that disputes between the public and the government would not be resolved by impartial and independent judges.
Justice Calanchini said in his view this was a serious contempt.
He said in his judgement that there may not presently be a parliamentary system of government in Fiji but this did not in any way diminish the importance of maintaining public confidence in the judicial system, and the moral authority and integrity of the judiciary and the courts.
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