Former Vanuatu PM Charlot Salwai

Former Vanuatu PM Salwai gets suspended sentence

Salwai was sentenced to two years and three months in jail today after he misled the Supreme Court about the decision to create parliamentary secretary positions when in government in 2016.

ABC News reports the sentence was suspended but he will have to vacate his seat in Parliament.

Salwai is yet to indicate if he will appeal against the sentence.

Former Vanuatu PM to stand trial in November

Salwai is facing 10 counts of bribery and corruption under the Leadership Code, and a separate charge of perjury.

The former minister of agriculture and a current Luganville MP, Matai Seremaiha, the former minister of health, Jerome Ludvaune and former MP Tom Korr are also facing bribery and corruption charges.

The case was filed following complaints by the former leader of the opposition and now deputy prime minister, Ishmael Kalsakau.