Nauruan national Julian Henrich who had been found guilty for the killing of Tongan student Sione Tufui will walk free after two years, a Fiji High Court Judge said.
Justice Salesi Temo said Henrich was a first time offender and he did not start the fight.
“I will not impose a non-parole which means you can be released after two years”, Justice Temo was quoted by Fiji Sun as saying.
The three year sentence came after two years of a brawl that involved Tufui and Henrich inside the Dragon Night Club in Suva.
Fiji Broadcasting News report said, “….some Tongan boys had thrown a broken beer bottle at Henrich, which hit his head”.
The fight continued outside the night club.
Fiji Village reports said Tufui was rushed to hospital where he later died.
Four other Nauruan nationals who were charged with Henrich had their proceedings terminated by the high court in March 2015 after the prosecution filed a formal notice of abandonment by the plaintiff or nolle prosequi.
The pathologist, Dr Kalougivaki told the court the cause of death was a result of brain haemorrhage which was caused by a blunt force trauma from the alleged assault and the presence of multiple traumatic injuries.
Henrich has 30 days to appeal his sentence.
