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SUVA: Rebel leader George Speight and his ringleaders claimed military
brutality in a front-page report in Fiji's Daily Post today, but the
newspaper said the "lawless bunch of hooligans" must answer for a
larger
abuse of rights.
Speight said in the Daily Post story that he had difficulties breathing,
eating and drinking because of injuries suffered during his arrest last
week and transportation to Nukulau Island "prison".
Ringleaders - including former military major Ilisoni Ligairi; media
adviser Jo Nata; former Fiji Intelligence Service chief Metuisela Mua;
deposed MP Ratu Timoci Silatolu and lawyer Tevita Bukurau - also claimed
they had suffered injuries as a result of army brutality when they were
arrested.
"Speight claims that he, at one stage, thought he would die as he was
punched, kicked and assaulted with rifle butts," the Daily Post said.
"In a letter to his lawyers, he said he was first assaulted after he
stepped onto the gangway of the naval ship that transported him and his
supporters to Nukulau."
The paper quoted Speight's letter as saying: "As I stepped onto the
gangplank [sic], I received a severe blow to the back with a sharp
metal/wood object which I guessed was the butt of a weapon.
"At the same time, the soldiers were abusing me verbally in Fijian."
Speight described the abuse, both physical and verbal, as unwarranted.
"Four armed men were involved in carrying out the physical abuse with
one, a Lauan, who was particularly vocal and physically abusive," he
said in his letter.
"The abuse including slapping, punching, kicking and the use of rifle
butts to the head, face, neck, back, chest and stomach.
"The abuse began immediately after departure and continued until we got
to Nukulau."
He said the officer leading the assault and abuse "went through us one
by one many times".
Ligairi, a former British SAS officer and founder of the elite First
Meridian Squadron, claimed to have been manhandled by the officer who
led the charge on Kalabu Fijian School last Thursday.
"Two soldiers grabbed me and ordered me to kneel with their weapons
pointed at me," he said of the incident at Kalabu.
Ligairi was ordered to lie on the ground face down while his hands were
strapped while the soldiers kicked and stomped on him.
Nata, Mua, Bukurau, Silatolu and former major Jo Savua have also filed
similar assault claims.
The Daily Post showed no sympathy in an editorial headlined "Dear George
and Company", saying "we read with interest and utter amusement your
version of how you and your group were treated after the military
arrested you last week...
"That you took offence and are complaining about the abuses is your
right. And your right is respected...
"But remember George, that for every right that you will fight for - and
that also goes for the collective rights of your lawless band of
hooligans, there is a much larger abuse of rights that you must answer
to, "These rights were taken away from about 750,000 people when you and
your triggerhappy boys stormed Parliament, ousting the democratically
elected government and inciting a spate of violence, lawlessness and
political anarchy that has driven many people into the depths of
despair."
+++niuswire
Title -- 2888 FIJI: Speight and rebels claim military brutality
Date -- 4 August 2000
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pasifik Nius
Source -- PN/Daily Post, 4/8/00
Copyright -- PN
Status -- Unabridged
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