Two compensation claims for wrongful conviction and imprisonment have been declined.
Information released to the Otago Daily Times reveals of the five compensation cases before the Justice Minister last year, two have been declined.
The remaining cases still to be decided include that of former Dunedin man David Bain, whose application is on hold while judicial proceedings are before the court.
Justice Minister Judith Collins declined to release, under the Official Information Act, the names and details of those who had been declined compensation, citing name suppression and legal professional privilege.
In the first case, ''K'' was convicted of sexual violation by rape and sentenced to seven and a-half years' imprisonment.
He served 17 months of the sentence before his conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal.
In the second case, ''P'' was convicted in 1997 and 1998 for sexual offences (convictions ''A'' and ''B'') against two complainants.
''P'' was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment and preventive detention, respectively.
Both complainants later retracted their allegations.
The Court of Appeal quashed conviction ''A'' and ordered a retrial, at which ''P'' was discharged without conviction.
Conviction ''B'' was also quashed by the Court of Appeal but without an order of a retrial.
While there was no legal right to compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment, the Government, at its discretion, could make an ex gratia payment.
