VP convicted of aiding coup — FIJI | 世界のニュースを英語で読むならジャパンタイムズウィークリー


	UPDATE: Saturday, June 12, 2010 The Japan Times Weekly 2004年8月14日号（バックナンバー）

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VP convicted of aiding coup

Jope Seniloli

Fiji's vice president was sent to prison for four years Aug. 6 for his role in a 2000 nationalist coup that ousted the country's first ethnic Indian prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry.

Vice President Jope Seniloli, who backed the two-month coup led by ethnic Fijian nationalist George Speight and briefly served as the country's president, had faced a maximum life sentence for his actions.

Seniloli was convicted Aug. 5 by Fiji's High Court of administering an illegal oath of office, for swearing in Speight and a group of ministers in the rebel government after the May 19, 2000, coup.

Four other defendants, Parliament's Deputy Speaker Rakuita Vakalalabure and three businessmen, were imprisoned for between one year and six years after being convicted on the same charge.

Speight is serving a life sentence for treason after being arrested in the aftermath of the coup.

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