Parramatta, Australia — A former member of the Fijian military, Ratu Meli Bainimarama, has been convicted of assault and other charges after he admitted to attacking his wife during a domestic dispute. Bainimarama, who had previously been out on bail for separate domestic violence allegations, was found guilty in a hearing at the Parramata Local Court on Tuesday.
The incident, which occurred on December 3, 2023, escalated when Bainimarama damaged his wife’s car keys and physically assaulted her, leading to significant injuries. Magistrate Timothy Khoo noted the severe bruising and red marks on various parts of her body as evidence presented during the trial.
In his ruling, Magistrate Khoo emphasized the necessity of addressing domestic violence sternly, stating, “A message must be sent to the offender and the wider community that domestic violence offences such as these are abhorhood.” The court sentenced Bainimarama to a total of 10 months in prison, with a non-parole period of seven months.
During the trial, it was revealed that the couple had been experiencing marital difficulties, living in separate bedrooms at the time of the incident. The altercation began after the victim confronted Bainimarama about alleged infidelity, having consumed considerable amounts of alcohol.
Bainimarama, 38, pleaded guilty to charges of destroying or damaging property and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Prosecutors withdrew an additional charge of choking without consent following his admissions.
In the courtroom, claims by Bainimarama that he had acted in self-defense after being provoked were dismissed by Magistrate Khoo, who highlighted the imbalance in physical strength and the defendant’s military background, accentuating, “The offender is significantly much stronger than her and has 12 years of military training.”
The court proceedings took place under heightened emotions, with the victim and her supporters present in the public gallery, while Bainimarama appeared from behind a glass barrier.
Despite having completed a domestic violence program while in detention, the magistrate remarked on Bainimarama’s lack of remorse for his actions. Moreover, the magistrate cast doubt on defense submissions regarding Bainimarama’s mental health issues, including PTSD, due to a lack of substantial medical evidence to support such claims.
Alongside the prison sentence, the court imposed an apprehended violence order, prohibiting Bainimarama from contacting or living with the victim for two years.
This case has shone a spotlight on the broader issue of domestic violence in the community, underscoring the judiciary’s role in addressing such breaches of law sternly and effectively. It serves as a stark reminder of the legal and societal implications of domestic assault and the ongoing efforts needed to combat this pervasive issue.
Ratu Meli Bainimarama’s legal woes contrast sharply with the background of his father, Frank Bainimarama, a prominent figure in Fijian politics who took power in a 2006 coup before being elected democratically in subsequent elections. The family’s public profile has been shadowed by legal challenges, including a recent sentence against the elder Bainimarama for perverting the course of justice.
The case continues to resonate as Ratu Meli Bainimarama prepares for his imminent release from Silverwater prison, having already served a portion of his sentence on remand. The resolution of this case sends a clear message regarding the legal consequences of domestic violence, even against a backdrop of complex personal and familial dynamics.