24 Mar 2005

Fiji government senator questioned over reports of prison unrest plan

8:11 pm on 24 March 2005

Police in Fiji have questioned the jailed government senator Ratu Inoke Takiveikata as part of their inquiry into reports of planned unrest at Suva prison.

A prison inmate released last week said a protest had been planned to complain about poor conditions within prison.

Police had wanted to know whether the planned unrest was linked to political prisoners.

The Assistant Police Commissioner of Crime, Kemueli Bulamainaivalu, has told the Fiji Times that police have now questioned several inmates, including Takeiveikata.

Ratu Inoke Takiveikata was convicted of inciting and assisting the mutiny of November 2000, which claimed eight lives.

He was alleged to have organised the mutiny in order to overthrow the military commander.