Police have laid charges against George Speight and his men held on Nukulau
prison.
Assistant Police Commissioner Crime, Moses Driver says a team of police officers
returned from Nukulau an hour ago after taking statements and Speight,
Ilisoni Ligairi, Ratu Timoci Silatolu, Metuisela Mua, Rusiate Korovusere, Jo
Savua and others have been charged.
ACP Driver did not want elaborate on charges laid against Speight and his supporters.
However he revealed the charges are related to criminal activities that
occurred after July 14th, the time frame after the Immunity Decree. George Speight's
group only were given amnesty for the incidents from May 19th to July 13th.
ACP Driver has ruled out chances of Speight appearing court tomorrow as case
papers have to be prepared first. Meanwhile ACP Driver says police are still
investigating alleged threats made to the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo by Speight's
group.
He says Speight and his men are yet to be charged with treason as evidence
is still being gathered.
Hostage taker, George Speight's legal representative, Kitione Vuetaki has asked
Chief Magistrate, Salesi Temo to authorise Speight and his men detained on
Nukulau to appear in court tomorrow.
Vuetaki says he wants his clients to appear and the state to explain in court
the reason for detaining them for more than 48 hours without charges laid against
them.
Meanwhile Assistant Police Commissioner Crime, Moses Driver says police investigations
are continuing. Driver says police applied to the court for the term of
detention for Speight and the other prisoners be extended under the Emergency
Decree. Driver says the court has authorised the detention of Speight and his
men
for seven days from last Saturday.
Meanwhile George Speight supporters detained at Nasova Police Barracks are
now at Suva Magistrates Court.
Many of the Speight supporters have been charged with unlawful assembly. The
first lot of 28 men who appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court have been
released on 50 dollars bail.
They will reappear in court on 28th August. Eleven others have also been released
on bail except Kitione Raiwalui who has been charged with unlawful use of
motor vehicle. His lawyer has asked the court to release him under the Immunity
Decree.
Deposed Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry says he will go to the United Nations
for help if law and order in Fiji continues to worsen.
Chaudhry and Australian Prime Minister, John Howard have held talks in Sydney
this morning to discuss the plan of action for the next few months. Chaudhry
says the sanctions Australia has in place are enough for the time being but
if the military is unable to cope in Fiji he will ask for outside help.
Meanwhile Chaudhry has admitted he won't be back in power for some time yet.
Chaudhry says law and order is the most pressing concern and until that occurs,
he can't see the ousted People's Coalition government reinstated.
Chaudhry is in Sydney with his wife, Virmati and son Rajen. They are guests
of the Australian government for a week. The former Prime Minister will also
have
a medical check-up in Sydney on Wednesday.
Police are still taking statements from George Speight and his men who are
held at the Nukulau prison
Military spokesman, Lt Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini says police will have an
update later today of when charges will be laid against Speight and his men.
"The
investigation is quiet a mammoth task for the police because of a number of
people involved and the extension of the extensiveness of the investigation
that has to
be conducted before full charges can be laid. Legal work is time consuming.
Today the people have taken Speight's and his men statements and they will make
a
report on that," he said.
Lt Colonel Tarakinikini says a special prison has been constructed for Speight
and the other prisoners.
A tent has been built for them and within that tent, it's like a normal detention
centre. There's soldiers guarding the place and soldiers cooking their food
and
some army medical personnel are looking after them. They have shower facilities
and they can move to under escort. They have time to do their exercises all
under the supervision of the Army Officer who's in command at the island,"
he said.
The Sukanaivalu Barracks has been returned to the military by the rebels in
Labasa.
Military spokesman, Major Howard Politini confirmed this to FM96 News a few
minutes ago.
"As we all well knew there was an ultimatum issued by the military for
the return of the barracks by midnight last night. However at the end of yesterday
there
was a request for the ultimatum to be extended to allow the talks to continue.
The soldiers this afternoon have all returned to the barracks and they are also
collecting weapons that were not in the barracks and now the people in the barracks
are the rightful occupants. The command of the barracks back in the arms of
the Forces."
Politini also said police investigations will now start regarding the takeover of the barracks and criminal activities in Dreketi.
The Fiji Buses Association will issue their decision tomorrow on whether they
will join the national protest on Wednesday.
General Secretary Shiu Charan says although the association is part of the protest,
he's yet to receive feedback from the bus companies.
Fiji Teachers Confederation executives will also give in their decision tomorrow
after a meeting on whether they'll be joining other organisations in protesting
for
the return of democracy and constitutional order in the country. General Secretary
for Fiji Nurses Association Elina Dulakiverata says the association has advised
its members not to join in the protest because they provide essential service.
However, Dulakiverata says they've told nurses who are free during the protest
to
join in if they want to. Fiji Trades Union Congress General Secretary Felix
Anthony says he's been supported by more organisations who will join in
Wednesday for a national day of protest.
Delailasakau, the village in Naitasiri became the centre of attraction of the
world with helicopters flying and foreigners frequenting the village the village
and
nearby mountains last July when the Air Fiji plane PC121 crashed in the early
hours of Saturday morning, July 24th, 1999.
Now the Delailasakau villagers want to offer people from the urban areas here
in Fiji and also tourists a holiday with a difference.
One person who is from Delailasakau is Military Spokesman, Lt Colonel Filipo
Tarakinikini is behind the eco tourism project. Lt Colonel Tarakinikini says
they
(the people of Delailasakau want to share with others the beauty of nature in
and around their village.
"It is in the area of their land where the PC 121 crashed and the surrounding
mountain ranges which then flows into the solid basin, the basin which in the
middle
of Viti Levu there which is roundish in shape and about 25 kilometres across
at its widest point. Its actually a world heritage site because of the wild
life and
birds."
Tarakinikini says the mountain where PC121 went down, Mataicicia will also
be developed, tracks will be cut for people to go up the mountain and enjoy
the
scenery from Mataicicia. "Crystal clear waters and it still has the fishes
and prawns in those streams. We've university students from Europe, South America
and
North America throughout last year and this year coming to test out the project,
" he said. Tarakinikini says his village in Naitasiri want people to experience
the
true gift of nature away from the city life. "The project is not targeted
on the foreign market. Only it is targeted really for locals particularly for
people in Suva.
They don't realise how much of the break they need to get away from the hustle
and bustle that goes on in the Central of Suva. That's what we are working on
in
the village to try and make use of our resources. Keeping for the world to come
and see. To see a version of the tropical forest and at the same time make some
revenue for the landowners, he said.
Lt Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini who is very much involved in the eco tourism
project in Delailasakau where the village has decided to move forward during
this
crisis and get revenue from the assets that they have and provide for their
families. So that's another attraction for you soon in Delailasakau if you are
working
too hard and need to experience the beauty of nature.
28 supporters of George Speight have been released on $50.00 bail each and
told to report to the nearest police station three times a week.
They were charged with unlawful assembly and have been told to reappear in
August 28th.
They were represented by Rabo Matabalavu, Apaitia Seru and Tuberi Vodo in court.
Police have yet to receive reports on houses burnt at Wadalice and Korovou
in Tailevu on Saturday and last night.
Police PRO, Inspector Sera Bernard says she was told about it but she has yet
to receive official reports from officers in Korovou.
She could not confirm the exact number of houses and families involved. Korovou
police deferred questions until later this morning.
150 of George Speight supporters detained at Nasova Police Barracks will appear
in four magistrates court this afternoon.
Police Public Relations Officer Sera Bernard says if more statements are taken
by then, then more people will appear in court. Acting Director of Public
Prosecutions, Joe Naguilevu reiterated that it all depends on how fast police
process the statements from the detainees. There are 369 people detained at
Nasova
Barracks.
Rebels at Sukanaivalu Camp in Labasa have until midnight to move out. The military
originally issued a midnight deadline yesterday for rebels to return all arms
and ammunition and release the hostages and vacate the barracks.
Reliable military sources say the rebel group asked for more time. It is understood
the request coincided wit the death of one of Macuata's high chief, Ratu Vula
Katonivere. Ratu Vula passed away yesterday morning. Two weeks ago Ratu Vula
was involved in negotiations at Sukanaivalu barracks.
The chief was expected to be involved again in yesterday's talks.
The Fiji Electricity Authority engineers will take at least three days to restore
normal powers supply.
Monasavu landowners have released their hostages but the military spokesperson
Major Howard Politini says they're still holding on to some arms.
Military sources say the 50 year old who died the day the military stormed Kalabu
Fijian School is from the Yavuso Naboubuco, which has control of the
hydro-dam.
It is understood landowners will return all arms after they see the man's body
following today's post mortem. According to military spokesperson, Lt Colonel
Filipo Tarakinikini the people of yavusa Naboubuco were led to believe the man
died due to gunshot wounds.
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