Opposition Whip and SODELPA MP Lynda Tabuya has been released on bail with strict conditions.
Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili granted Tabuya’s bail application on the condition that she deactivates all Lynda Tabuya-named social media accounts including her facebook account, report to nearest police station once every two weeks, not to chage her residential address, surrender her travel documents, $2000 bail bond and not to interfere with witnesses.
Her two sureties are her sister Ane Tabuya and Ro Teimumu Kepa.
Case will be called again on 6th April to determine if she’s complied with directives about social media accounts.
Tabuya first appeared in court around midday today after being kept in police custody since she was taken in for questioning last Thursday, March 26th. She was charged with ‘malicious act’ contravening Section 15(a) of the Public Order Act over posts she made on social media on Thursday, March 19th.
Court documents showed that Tabuya’s comments intended “to create or foster public alarm, public anxiety or disaffection.”
Her legal counsels, Filimoni Vosarogo and Jagath Karutarne applied for bail in the earlier sitting citing breach of the Tabuya’s rights under Section 130 of the Constitution 2013 and Section 11(1) of the Bail Act 2002. Police prosecution objected to the application citing national interest among others, prompting the afternoon seating for ruling.
