5 Nov 2007

Three charged in alleged Fiji assassination plot, more to come, says police commander

7:20 pm on 5 November 2007

Serious criminal charges have been laid in Fiji against three of the 16 people detained for their alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate the interim prime minister, Commodore Bainimarama, members of his cabinet and senior military officers.

The three have been charged with treason, inciting mutiny and conspiracy to murder.

The police commissioner, Commodore Esala Teleni says they will appear in Suva court tomorrow.

He says another 13 suspects are currently being questioned and decisions on whether to charge them will be made in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Commodore Teleni says more people are expected to be brought in for questioning and more charges will be laid.

He confirmed that New Zealand national Ballu Khan will be questioned once he is discharged from hospital.

No charges have been laid against Khan yet.