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PORT VILA - Australian conman Peter Foster looks set to avoid facing charges in Fiji after a deal with Vanuatu authorities to be deported to Australia.
State Prosecutor in Vanuatu, Alfred Bice, today said Foster was likely to be flown to Brisbane, probably tomorrow.
He said a deal had been struck for Foster to plead guilty to illegally entering the Pacific country in return for a fine of 100,000 vatu ($1437).
Foster today faced the Vanuatu Magistrates Court, where his hearing was adjourned until tomorrow, when the deal for his deportation is expected to be formally agreed to.
Foster remains in custody in Port Vila pending his likely deportation.
"We are going to board a plane tomorrow from Port Vila to Brisbane. He (Foster) will plead guilty," Bice said.
"He admitted everything."
He said the Vanuatu government would pay for Foster's flight to Australia, where it's believed he is not wanted for any alleged offences.
The deal to deport Foster means he will not face justice in Fiji, where he is wanted after skipping bail while facing charges of using a forged document to enter that country.
Foster was charged with illegally entering Vanuatu after wading ashore near Port Vila from a boat that spirited the fugitive out of Fiji earlier this month.
Foster is also wanted by the Federated States of Micronesia for his alleged role in a US$580,000 ($849,320) bank fraud.
A sweaty-looking Foster appeared handcuffed in court in Port Vila today wearing thongs, blue shorts and a khaki top.
He told journalists he was innocent of trying to illegally flee Fiji and had been helped by a faction in the Fiji military.
Foster said he was a personal friend of Fiji coup leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama, adding that the military chief would be "horrified" at the way events had unfolded.
"I find the commander quite likeable. I think he would be horrified if he knew the full extent of what was happening now," Foster said.
The Fiji military is investigating whether Foster bribed some of its officers to aid his escape by sea to Vanuatu.
But Foster denied he had bribed officials to escape Fiji, where he was awaiting a hearing to determine if he had used a forged document to enter the country.
"When I left Fiji, I was under the absolute belief that my charges in Fiji were going to be dropped," he said.
Foster said he had been treated fairly by Vanuatu authorities but was not enjoying his time in prison.
"Use your best imagination and the worst scenario and you probably get it.
"I am in a situation where I can't be too critical," he said.
- AAP
