9 April, 2021, 9:30 pm
Political activist Ben Padarath (back third from right) with his legal counsel and supporters outside the
Ba Magistrates Court. Picture: REINAL CHAND
THE Ba Magistrates Court has ordered political activist Ben Padarath to deactivate all his social media accounts.
Resident magistrate Samuela Qica handed the conditions after granting Mr Padarath bail yesterday.
Mr Padarath faces four different counts of sedition, attempting to defeat the course of justice, destroying evidence and disobedience of lawful order.
It was alleged that on or around March 28 this year, he did an act with seditious intention or uttered seditious words by posting information pertaining to an ongoing FICAC investigation on Facebook, with an intention to bring hatred or excite disaffection against the administration of justice in Fiji.
Wanshika Kumar
Mick Beddoes. Picture: FILE.
Former opposition leader Mick Beddoes quizzed Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission director Ashwin Raj over the powers he has to autonomously investigate cases.
He made the comment in a Facebook post in response to Mr Raj’s comments in an article which was published in
The Fiji Times on Saturday.
In the article, Mr Raj said Lautoka businessman Ben Padarath had the right to lodge a complaint with the FHRADC or alternatively raise his concerns in a court of law.
“But what about your powers under Section 30 which gives you the authority to investigate under your ‘own motion’,” Mr Beddoes said.
The Fiji Times » Padarath has access to a legal counsel fijitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fijitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Fiji s Opposition has condemned the manner in which people are repeatedly arrested and detained in the country.
The concerns were raised in parliament following the arrest of a political activist last week over a post on social media the government claimed intended to bring about hatred or excite disaffection in the country.
Ben Padarath.
Photo: Facebook
Ben Padarath was detained by the Independent Commission Against Corruption and appeared in court charged with sedition.
He was also charged for attempting to defeat the course of justice, destroying evidence and disobedience of lawful orders.
Padarath was alleged to have acted with seditious intention or uttered seditious words by posting information relating to an ongoing investigation on Facebook by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
The Fiji Times’ edition for April 7.
The big one on Page 1 is about the Nabua brawl.
PAGE 1
Residents involved face eviction
BEHAVE or you are out. This was the stern warning from Public Rental Board acting general manager Patrick Veu in the wake of violent brawls between residents of Mead Road Housing and Sukanaivalu Rd, Nabua, over the Easter weekend. He said PRB residents involved in the fracas would be evicted for breaching tenancy agreement.
Image: THE FIJI TIMES
Meanwhile, renowned local psychologist Selina Kuruleca said intense counselling was needed for all children who were terrorised after witnessing the brutality and violence that ensued on Friday night and Saturday.