A panel of assessors in Fiji has found 16 people accused of sedition not guilty, in a split majority decision.
The verdict was handed down in the Lautoka High Court this afternoon, with three assessors finding the accused not guilty, while two said they were guilty.
The case has been adjourned until next Friday when a judge will make his final ruling - he could rule against the assessors' verdict.
The accused, including a chief, Ratu Epeli Niudamu, had been accused of trying to form a sovereign Christian state in Ra.