1 Jun 2004

Fiji police in RAMSI investigated for coup involvement

10:25 am on 1 June 2004

Fiji police officers serving with the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands have been investigated for any role they might have had in the May 2000 Speight coup.

Inspector Tevita Lesu, who carried out the investigations over 7 days, has told the Fiji Times there was never any question of suspicion falling on any Fiji members of RAMSI.

But the head of the police task force investigating their own officers, Assistant Commissioner Kemueli Bulamainaivalu, says Inspector Lesu interviewed five high ranking officers who have allegations pending against them.

Meanwhile, police are silent on whether they will interrogate their former commissioner, Col Isikia Savua, for his alleged role in the coup while is he in the country from New York.

A newspaper report today says both Commissioner Hughes and the police spokesman, Mesake Koroi, have said they will not comment on the issue.

Col Savua is due to meet Mr Hughes this week in what is being described as a courtesy visit.