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LoginEstonian charged with fugitive Mara’s escape from Fiji
Estonian Risto Harmat ... charged over the Ratu Mara flight to Tonga. Photo: FBC
Pacific Scoop:
Report – By Maca Lutunauga in Suva
An Estonian fisherman, Risto Harmat, has been charged with obstructing justice in the fugitive Ratu Mara affair.
Harmat, living in Fiji, appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday charged with one count of obstructing to defeat the course of justice – for allegedly assisting former 3rd Fiji Infantry Regiment commander Lieutenant-Colonel Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara escape from Fiji to Tonga.
Harmat is alleged to have assisted Mara reach his pick-up point off Kadavu where he was picked up by a Tongan naval vessel two weeks ago.
He appeared before Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili yesterday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
He has been released on bail and ordered to surrender his travel documents.
Harmat is due to appear in court again on June 28.
Maca Lutunauga is a reporter with the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.
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