By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
SUVA, Fiji– On Monday, sixteen people were arrested on charges of the attempted assassination of Fiji’s Interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Of these sixteen, ten have been issued formal charges including mutiny, conspiracy to commit murder and treason. However, at the time of this writing, all treason charges have been dropped.
Details of the plot are still unclear, but Bainimarama issued a statement that he was, “Happy to be alive.” He stated that the authorities had, “uncovered a situation which, if not foiled, would have led to serious unrest, bloodshed and instability in Fiji.” No more specific details of the alleged plot were given, other than it could be blamed on “disgruntled groups” within Fiji that opposed his march away from corruption.
The accused represented a laundry list of Fijian businessmen and politicians, as well as two New Zealand Nationals. Among the accused are Naitasiri paramount chief and former government senator, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata and senior military official Lt Col Jone Baledrokadroka, the former director of the dissolved Fiji Intelligence Service, Col. Metuisela Mua, former MP Peceli Rinakama, and six former soldiers from the CRW unit. The CRW unit carried out another coup in May 2000.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has decried the actions of the interim government, saying that the arrests represented an attempt to silence Bainimarama’s critics. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has called the allegations, “completely absurd.” For himself, Bainimarama believes downplayed the international scrutiny, saying that the neither the Australian nor New Zealandgovernments had been directly implicated. Further, he believed that the issued had been stirred up by “sensational reporting”.
New Zealand, at least, argues that it does have a direct interest in the arrests, because one of its nationals, Ballu Khan, was reportedly beaten by Fiji officials. Reports vary concerning the extent of his injuries. Police chief Esala Teleni stated that Khan had experienced “minor injuries” when he resisted arrest, but other reports indicate that his injuries were so extreme that he was unable to speak. A hospital told Reuters that Khan was diagnosed with a broken jaw and rib. The New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters, said that his government has not yet been given access to Khan.
The court has decided to postpone hearing pleas and establishing bail until Wednesday morning.
For more information, please see:
The Australian — Fiji plot accused set for court – 07 November 2007
Fiji Times Online — Confusion over plot charges — 07 November 2007
BBC News — Bainimarama defends Fiji arrests — 06 November 2007
Radio New Zealand International– 10 people charged over alleged Fiji assassination plot — 06 November 2007
BBC News — Alleged plotters charged in Fiji — 05 November 2007
