[ap-intact] INFO: Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (23 Oct 2015) - Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands

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[Facilitator’s note: Thank you to Annika Wythes, Luisa Senibulu, Samita Singh, and Mihaela Stojkoska of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project for sharing these updates.]
Vanuatu:
15 MPs to be sentenced for corruption. Fifteen MPs in Vanuatu will be sentenced for corruption today (22 Oct 2015), in a decision that will throw great uncertainty over the government of the Prime Minister, Sato Kilman. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/287667/15-vanuatu-mps-to-be-sentenced-for-corruption-today
Judge says MPs' pardons invalid. An attempt in Vanuatu to re-instate pardons given to 14 convicted MPs 11 days ago has failed. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/287646/vanuatu-judge-says-mps'-pardons-invalid
Cook Islands:
Former Fisheries Resources Minister Faces Bribery Charges. The Cook Islands Police Service’s prosecution team believes the evidence is stacked against former Minister of Marine Resources Teina Bishop in a significant bribery case. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2015/October/10-21-03.htm
Samoa:
Corruption and collusion in O.P.C report pursued. A group of civil servants including former Members of Parliament are pursuing a case against people involved in alleged corruption and misuse of funds in government. http://www.samoaobserver.ws/other/government/14444-corruption-and-collusion-in-opc-report-pursued
Fiji:
Two face bribery charges. A former acting manager Border Control withthe Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) and an Afghani businessman appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court on bribery charges. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=326635
Solomon Islands:
MPs, Ministers Reportedly Defect from Government. Twelve (12) Members of Parliament (MP) including eight government Ministers have reportedly resigned from the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2015/October/10-21-01.htm

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