Ousted PM lodges treason complaint
Thu, September 25 2008
Qarase said he made the complaint and he would consider taking the case to the International Criminal Court if it was not investigated properly.
“We have done our bit, and it is now up to police to process the complaint in accordance with the law,” he said. “We believe that those people who planned and executed the coup, and all those associated with it, should face the full brunt of the law.”
Qarase was prime minister in December 2006 when a bloodless coup by Army commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama forced him out of office. The commodore appointed himself interim prime minister, and he continues to rule Fiji.
Qarase said about 20 past and present ministers in the military administration running Fiji were named in the treason complaint as were more than a dozen military members, including Commodore Bainimarama.
He said he hoped that the police commissioner, Esala Teleni, would step aside from the investigation as the commissioner, who is also a senior military official, was also named in the complaint.
A court case brought by Qarase to determine the legality of the military coup ended in March, but the High Court is yet to deliver a verdict.
Interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the treason complain was “a stunt because Qarase and his lawyers are fully aware that the matters are before the courts”.
Treason in Fiji carries a life sentence.
Meanwhile, public consultations on Fiji’s draft People’s Charter has been extended to mid-December, two months longer than earlier scheduled.
Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama says more time is needed for consultations.
Public consultation on the draft Charter began early August.
The Fijilive newsagency reports the Charter is expected to contain a guideline for future government’s on how Fijians want to be governed.
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