Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (24 June 2017): Fiji, PNG, Pacific-wide

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These updates are provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Anti-Corruption Project for Southeast Asia, and the joint UNODC - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, with support of the Australian Government.

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FIJI:
Suspended MP cleared of financial charges.  A suspended opposition MP in Fiji, Ratu Isoa Tikoca, says his court acquittal last week is a major win for him politically.
http://www.pireport.org/articles/2017/06/20/suspended-fiji-opposition-mp-cleared-financial-charges
False diploma lands man in jail.  A 57-year-old man has been sentenced by the Suva Magistrate’s court to ten months imprisonment for corruption related offences.
http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/51901/false-diploma-lands-man-in-jail#sthash.h0xZTYJ6.dpuf
Pakistani organisation involved in Fiji election accused of corruption and ballot stuffing.  A Pakistani organisation that was contracted to implement an election management system in Fiji has been accused of corruption, ballot stuffing, tampering with voter registration and giving ID cards to terrorists.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/pacific-beat/2017-06-21/pakistani-organisation-involved-in-fiji-election/8639384
Fiji anti-graft body charges psychologist for alleged bribery.  The Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption has charged a psychologist of the Fiji Corrections Service with four counts of bribery and one count of attempt to defeat the course of Justice.
http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/51726/ficac-charges-psychologist-for-alleged-bribery#sthash.Wrz5Iovp.dpuf

PNG:
Hotline set up for PNG voters to report corruption concerns.  Transparency International PNG wants has set up a toll free hotline for people to report, and receive advice about how to deal with, instances of corruption during polling for the national elections.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/pacific-beat/2017-06-21/hotline-set-up-for-png-voters-to-report-corruption/8639372

NZ to help Pacific combat money laundering.  Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced a significant boost to support Pacific island countries comply with international anti-money laundering standards.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1706/S00347/nz-to-help-pacific-combat-money-laundering.htm?src=ilaw

To know more about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project please contact the team members:
Maria Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, maria.adomeit@unodc.org
Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org
Luisa Senibulu, Governance Programme Associate, UNDP/UNODC, luisa.senibulu@undp.org

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org

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