Ratu Jope's CSO application under review

[posted 19 Nov 2004, 1000]

Attorney General, Qoriniasi Bale has confirmed that he has received an application from convicted Vice-President Ratu Jope Seniloli for a compulsory supervision order.  

The application would let the jailed Vice-President serve out the remainder of his term outside of prison, in an arrangement that has not been elaborated on.  

Party President Jokapeci Koroi, has made it clear that the consideration Ratu Jope is receiving from the government, highlights the contempt they have for the legal processes and democratic institutions of the country.  The present administration continues to provide safe harbour for the terrorists who brought an unprecedented level of violence to Fiji in May of 2000.

Bale, who as the Great Council of Chiefs key legal advisor, presented options to the chiefs on how to deal with the ramifications of Ratu Jope's conviction, will now be the ultimate assessor of Ratu Jope's compulsory supervision order.  

The Fiji Labour Party is vehemently opposed to this request being made by Ratu Jope.  The Party wishes to express its disappointment in the Attorney General's power to review Ratu Jope Seniloli's application.  Where the Fiji Law Society has taken note of the AG's conflict of interest, the Party condemns it, outright.  

Only in Fiji could an individual, as key legal advisor to one institution, outline solutions for the overturning of a conviction handed down by the legal body of this country, and in his 'day job' as Attorney General review an application sidestepping the authority of the Court's ruling, and granting leniency to someone who, by taking an illegal oath, plunged the country into chaos.

The Labour Party is writing to the diplomatic missions in the country asking for pressure to be put on the government to keep Ratu Jope in jail for the remainder of his term.  

Ratu Jope was sentenced to a 4-year term in July of this year.  He still draws his government salary.