MP’s parole bids rejected

VANUATU – One of 14 former Vanuatu MPs jailed for corruption says his application for parole on medical grounds has been rejected four times.

Tony Wright, a former youth and sports minister, is in Port Vila Hospital with a kidney condition, but he says he needs treatment in New Caledonia. Wright, who was jailed in 2015, said needed medical treatment in New Caledonia, as he needed a dialysis service that wasn’t available in Vanuatu.

He said his applications for bail on compassionate grounds included medical reports from more than one doctor, but they had been turned down on each occasion.

The parole board said Wright did not complete a full submission to go with the medical reports, so his applications had not be considered.

Three other jailed former MPs, John Amos, Paul Telukluk and Silas Yatan, were reported to have also applied for compassionate release.

Meanwhile, the Daily Post said two others, Steven Kalsakau and Serge Vohor, would be eligible for parole from next month.