Bainimarama, Qiliho Granted Bail on Inciting Mutiny Charges

Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho have been granted bail after appearing in the Suva Magistrates Court on charges of inciting mutiny.

The two appeared before Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, where Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku did not object to bail.

They were each granted non-cash bail of $5,000 with strict conditions, including a stop departure order preventing them from leaving the country. They have also been ordered not to reoffend and not to interfere with state witnesses.

The matter has been adjourned to 5 March for plea.

The charges relate to alleged attempts to undermine the leadership of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

It is alleged that between 1 January and 31 July 2023, in Suva, Bainimarama sent Viber messages to Brigadier General Manoa Gadai in an attempt to incite him to take over command and overthrow the authority of RFMF Commander Major General Jone Kalouniwai.

A second charge alleges that between 1 July and 31 July 2023, Bainimarama and Qiliho jointly approached several senior military officers in an attempt to incite them to unlawfully arrest the Commander and assume his authority.