Amnesty welcomes Fiji case dismissal

Photo / Supplied.

Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand (AIANZ) has welcomed today's decision by the Suva High Court to throw out all charges against Fijian lawyer Imrana Jalal.

In January Ms Jalal, a prominent human rights lawyer, and her husband, Sakiasi Tuisolia, were served with seven misdemeanour charges relating to Public Health Regulations, the Food Safety Act and the Penal Code.

Amnesty International argued the prosecution was politically motivated, aimed at punishing Ms Jalal for her public stance against human rights violations perpetrated by the military since its overthrow of the Laisenia Qarase-led government in December 2006.

"The international human rights community had closely monitored Imrana's case and we are pleased that she can now continue to courageous work without this trumped-up trial hanging over her head," AIANZ chief executive Patrick Holmes said.

- NZPA