Ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase is currently appearing in the Suva Magistrates court after he was charged with corruption related offences by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption this afternoon.
Our reporter at the Suva court house, Petrina Zinck confirms that FICAC officers have laid four charges against Qarase relating to the purchase of shares in Fiji Holdings Limited.
Qarase was being questioned by FICAC since Saturday for the alleged deals he made in the conversion of the 20 million dollar loan for the purchase of Fijian Holdings shares to a grant.
The case is currently underway.
In the earlier News today:
Ousted Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase is still being questioned at the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption headquarters in Suva.
Qarase was first taken in on Saturday and questioned until 5pm. He was then called in yesterday but stayed only for about half an hour as he requested for some time to go and see his wife, Leba who is admitted in hospital.
The SDL Leader was called in again at about 8:30 this morning and that interrogation process is still underway according to FICAC spokesperson, Maraia Vavaitamana.
Qarase is being questioned for the alleged deals he made in the conversion of the 20 million dollar loan for the purchase of Fijian Holdings shares to a grant.
He also confirmed to us earlier today that the FICAC officers are questioning him on the companies who benefitted from the 20 million dollar grant.
Qarase has stressed that all the commercial decisions made in relation to the purchase of the Fijian Holdings shares and the conversion of the 20 million dollar government loan for the purchase of the shares to a grant, were all done within the laws of the land.
Speaking to Village News, Laisenia Qarase said FICAC can conduct any investigation but they will not find anything illegal as the decision was made after a parliamentary approval.
When questioned by Village News last week on whether he or his close family members benefitted from the conversion of the loan to a grant and whether they own any shares in Fijian Holdings, Qarase maintained he has not done anything against the law.
Vavaitamana said the questioning will continue in the days ahead after which they will decide on their next action.
