Fiji, Aug. 10 -- Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat will meet President Nikenike Vurobaravu this week to raise concerns over the recent pardon of a convicted rapist.

The pardon was among those granted by the Head of State on the eve of Vanuatu's 46th Independence Anniversary.

Napat says he will formally request that the pardon be revoked, while acknowledging that the power to grant pardons is a discretionary constitutional power vested in the President.

"While we respect the constitutional powers of the Head of State, the people deserve justice. I will be requesting that this pardon be revoked," said the Prime Minister in a statement.

Napat says the seriousness of the case and the public concern it has generated make it necessary for...