A former prime minister of Fiji, Laisenia Qarase, has been jailed for a year on corruption charges.
Qarase, Fiji's last democratically elected leader, was sentenced today after earlier being found guilty of abusing his office and failing to perform his duties.
According to court documents, Qarase failed to disclose a private investment interest in three companies he was helping to manage in an official capacity.
His supporters say the charges were politically motivated.
The 71-year-old became Fiji's last elected leader in 2000 before being ousted in a military coup in 2006 by the country's current leader, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
This week New Zealand and Australia eased sanctions against Fiji after Bainimarama promised to hold free elections in 2014.
Fiji is drafting a new constitution ahead of the elections, which is likely to include provisions to prevent convicted criminals running for office.
