SUVA — Fiji's last democratically elected leader was sentenced Friday to one year in prison after being convicted on corruption charges that his supporters say were politically motivated. Laisenia Qarase was found guilty Tuesday of abusing his office and failing to perform his duties. Court documents say the 71-year-old former prime minister failed to disclose a private investment interest in three companies that he was helping manage in an official capacity some 20 years ago. Qarase served six years as prime minister before being ousted by Fiji's current leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, in a 2006 coup. At the time of the offenses, Qarase was financial adviser for the Fijian Affairs Board and the now-disbanded Great Council of Chiefs, as well as a company director. — AP
