Tevita Kapawale has been found guilty of high seas mass murder by the Suva High Court today.

Kapawale was found guilty on all counts , five counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of criminal intimidation.

The court found that he murdered Alfat Kodri and Qiritavabea Cagilabakomeli by striking them with an axe and forced Benjamin Mattaputty, Eme Warma, and Samuela Sukera to jump overboard.

He was also found guilty for the attempted murder of Kaminieli Tucama, and the criminal Intimidation of Mitieli Cama, who were the only survivors and key prosecution witnesses.

The three Indonesians and two Fijians were murdered onboard the FV Tiro 2 on the early hours of May 18, 2021, in Fiji waters.

Suva High Court before Judge Justice Dane Tuiqereqere while delivering his judgement considered Kapawale’s confession to his friend, to the Fiji Sun journalist and later to the police.