Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry has paid his 2 million dollars fine to the High Court.
Chaudhry’s lawyer, Anand Singh has confirmed to Fijivillage that the full fine has been paid by his client and the case is adjourned to the 7th of July.
Singh said Chaudhry’s application for an interim stay will be heard by a judge of the Fiji Court of Appeal next Monday as Chaudhry wants to appeal his conviction and sentence.
When contacted by Fijivillage on the payment of the fine, Chaudhry referred all queries to the High Court.
Chaudhry was fined $2 million by High Court Judge Justice Paul Madigan on the 2nd of May.
The judge ordered that he has to pay the fine by today.
Justice Madigan ruled that failure to pay the fine will result in Chaudhry serving 15 months in prison.
Chaudhry’s conviction has also been recorded which means that he is ineligible to contest the 2014 general election.
Mahendra Chaudhry also has to comply with the Exchange Control Act by the 31st of July this year which means that he needs to repatriate the 1.5 million Australian dollars held in Australia.
Failure to do so will make him liable for prosecution for continuing breach of the Exchange Control Act.
When asked on whether Chaudhry has already repatriated the funds held in Australia, Anand Singh says he still has time until the end of next month.
Chaudhry cannot travel outside Fiji until he complies with the court’s order.
Chaudhry’s name has been announced as a proposed candidate for the Fiji Labour Party for the September 17th polls and he confirmed that he will nominate his name for the election despite his conviction.
