11 Apr 2005

Two freshly jailed Fiji chiefs sick in hospital

3:51 pm on 11 April 2005

Two of the four chiefs jailed in Fiji on coup related charges last week are reported to be sick in Labasa hospital.

The two are the Tui Nadodgo, Ratu Viliame Rovabokola, and the Tui Wailevu, Ratu Rokodewala Niumataiwalu, who are both in their 60's.

They had been jailed with the former lands minister, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, and government senator, Ratu Josefa Dimuri, who were all convicted for their role in the 2000 mutiny in Labasa.

The Fiji Times reports that one was found to be suffering from high blood pressure and the other from shortness of breath when taken for a medical check.

The two are reported to be in a stable condition in hospital but are under heavy security.