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* Pacific Media Watch Online: http://www.pmw.c2o.org
SUVA: Fiji Islands reporters were abused and threatened outside the
Labasa courthouse on the northern main island of Vanua Levu minutes
before rebels were to appear before magistrate Maika Nakora, the Fiji
Times reports.
On one occasion, armed soldiers guarding the Labasa Magistrates' Court
verbally abused Fiji Times reporter Ruci Mafi before one slapped a
camera out of her hand.
Another soldier later swore at her, saying the courthouse was out of
bounds.
He also threatened to shoot despite attempts to reason with him.
Magistrate Nakora intervened to allow reporters into his courtroom later
yesterday.
Complaints made to the Fiji Military Forces headquarters will also be
looked into.
Three soldiers involved in the scare also waved their guns at the driver
of a four-wheel drive vehicle the reporter was travelling in.
Two other reporters were also threatened outside the courthouse by
soldiers yesterday.
* Rebels led by failed businessman George Speight seized Parliament at
gunpoint on May 19 and held the elected Mahendra Chaudhry coalition
government as hostages for 56 days. Since July 27, the Fiji military
have mounted a crackdown on lawlessness and arrested Speight and
hundreds of his followers.
With the cases at Labasa being reported above, magistrate Nakora
released 32 men on bail after they were charged with unlawful assembly,
obstructing public roads and obstructing a police officer.
+++niuswire
Title -- 2894 FIJI: Reporters threatened over court coverage
Date -- 9 August 2000
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
Source -- Fiji Times, 9/8/00
Copyright -- FT
Status -- Unabridged
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