Nasilasila wants to be released from prison pending appeal
A Fiji Corrections Service officer escorts convicted rapist and former 7s star Amenoni Nasilasila outside court on July 27, 2020.
Former 7s star Amenoni Nasilasila wants to be released from prison while his rape conviction appeal is ongoing at the Fiji Court of Appeal.
This was filed through a bail pending appeal application. Lawyer Mosese Naivalu from Law Naivalu filed the appeal on behalf of Nasilasila who was jailed for raping a 24-year-old woman in Olosara, Sigatoka, in 2018.
Nasilasila, 28, escorted by Fiji Corrections Service officers, yesterday arrived at the Fiji Court of Appeal wearing a white shirt and a yellow tie which convicted prisoners wear while attending court matters, and a Fiji Rugby Union ‘sulu’.
He appeared before Judge Justice Chandana Prematilaka. Nasilasila is serving a sentence of eight years imprisonment with a non-parole period of six years. Appellant counsel appearing on instructions, Romanu Vananalagi told the court that Nasilasila had filed a timely appeal and it was an application for appeal against conviction only.
He also told the court that the counsel had filed an application for bail pending the outcome of the appeal application. Mr Vananalagi sought 21 days on behalf of Law Naivalu to file written submissions on both applications.
Justice Prematilaka has ordered Nasilasila’s counsel to file submissions on or before August 17 and State respondent to file submissions on or before September 15. The matter will be called for mention on September 15.
Appellant counsel appearing on instructions, Romanu Vananalagi told the court that Nasilasila had filed a timely appeal and it was an application for appeal against conviction only.