Thousands of people are praying that former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho “are not sent to prison”.
Defense counsel Devanesh Sharma said this as he told the court the duo have protected the safety of Fiji and its people and were at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19.
“Don’t they deserve some sympathy and mercy,” he said during sentencing submission at the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon.
“There are thousands of people in Fiji who support these people and are praying that they are not sent to prison.”
He also asked that Magistrate Seini Puamau takes into account the years of service of both men to the nation.
While he is asking for a lenient sentence, the State is pushing for prison sentences for both men.
