Court Grants Bail for Accused Anti-vaxxer
A49-year-old man alleged to have broadcasted Facebook live videos against the COVID-19 vaccine told the Court yesterday that he does not have a Facebook account.
Tevita Vuniwaqa Qaqanivalu appeared before Magistrate Jeremaia Savou charged with five counts of Malicious Act.
It is alleged that in the month of June he posted several live videos on a Facebook account called, “Madigi Tuiqaqa” condemning vaccination.
It is further alleged that the video was maliciously spreading false news against Government, religious and traditional leaders and members of the disciplined forces.
In the videos he is also alleged to have made mention of declaring war in Fiji.
The accused claimed in Court that he does not have a personal Facebook account nor is he the proprietor of the Madigi Tuiqaqa page.
Prosecution did not object to bail however they requested for a stop departure order to be imposed, weekly reporting to the Lami Police Station and deactivation of his Facebook
account.
In light of the current COVID-19 crisis, Magistrate Savou relaxed his reporting condition to once a month commencing on August 19 and released him on a $500 non-cash bail bond.
The accused was also ordered to surrender all his travel documents and not to interfere with State witnesses.
In addition, Magistrate Savou issued a general order for the accused to refrain from posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp.
The case has been adjourned to August 30 for mention.