The Fiji Military forces has appealed an earlier decision of the High Court which ordered the RFMF to pay a civilian $168,000 in compensation for a stray bullet which hit him during the November 2000 attempted mutiny.

44 year old Samabula resident James Pillay was awarded the $168,000 for pain and suffering, loss of future earnings, cost of future care and special damages by Judge Justice Filimoni Jitoko in April this year after an earlier ruling had found the RFMF responsible for the incident.

Pillay was standing outside his home in Samabula, three miles away from the Queen Elizabeth Barracks, when a stray bullet fired during the height of the standoff between the CRW Soldiers and members of the RFMF hit him in the stomach. The bullet remains embedded in Pillay's stomach despite several operations.

However, the RFMF maintains that it was not responsible and has appealed the decision and the compensation payout.

No date has been set for the appeal to be called as yet as both parties are now preparing to make submissions in the case.