Yvette Nikolic found not guilty of Fiji drugs import charge

In a stunning result, Yvette Nikolic has been found not guilty of drug importation and possession by the Suva High Court and is expected to be released from Fiji prison today.

Exclusive: Yvette Nikolic is a free woman.

After eight months behind bars in Fiji prisons following the June 22 raid on her yacht Shenanigans at Denarau Marina, the wife of former Melboune racehorse trainer and mum of two has been found not guilty of all charges and walked from the Suva High Court.

News Corp sources in the court said Ms Nikolic sobbed with joy and relief in the dock, as Justice Daniel Goundar handed down his decision that she had “no case to answer”.

A smiling Yvette then walked across the road from the court to the Holiday Inn hotel where her brother-in-law, jockey Danny Nikolic, and his partner, Tania Hyett, have been staying.

Yvette didn’t know about drugs, court told

Secret black file on Nikolic yacht

Distraught Nikolic ‘could not see another way out’

Defence lawyer Roland Gordon with Yvette Nikolic after the verdict. Picture: Vara Nasilasila

Ms Nikolic’s Australian lawyer Jason Murakami told News Corp Yvette was trying to get on the first flight she could out of Fiji, to get home to Australia to see her family.

“She is expected back on the Gold Coast in the next 24 hours, where she is desperate to see her family and her two children,” Mr Murakami said.

Addressing the media outside the Suva High Court immediately after the ruling, Ms Nikolic’s Fiji lawyer, Ronald Gordon, said it had been “a long eight months” and his client had maintained her innocence from the beginning.

Yvette Nikolic arrives at the High Court trial in Suva, Fiji. Picture Gary Ramage

“We have always maintained she was not guilty of any of the charges and today we heard the judge find in favour of my client and say there was no evidence at all against her in relation to any of the charges, so we are thankful to the Fiji criminal justice system We’ve been vindicated,” Mr Gordon said.

Yvette Nikolic has been advised not to speak to the media as John Nikolic remains charged with drug smuggling and his trial is continuing.

John and Yvette Nikolic were allowed some time together while attending the High Court in Suva. Picture: Varanisese Bolatagane

Both Yvette, referred to as the first accused, and John, the second accused, were charged with drug importation, drug possession and weapons offences, after Fiji authorities found 13 bars of cocaine, ecstasy tablets, undeclared weapons and ammunition on their yacht, Shenanigans, during the raid last year.

John Nikolic arriving at Suva High Court. Picture: News Corp Australia

In his ruling, Justice Goundar said the prosecution case against Yvette was “entirely based on circumstantial evidence”, and there was “no incriminating, direct or circumstantial evidence, against the first accused on all five charges”.

“The application for a no case to answer is allowed and a finding of not guilty is entered on all five charges against the first accused. She may now step down from the dock,” Justice Goundar ruled.

“The court finds there is some direct and circumstantial evidence on all five charges against the second accused. There is a case for him to answer. He will now be put to his defence.”

Originally published as Yvette Nikolic found not guilty of Fiji drugs import charge