7 Nov 2007

10 people charged with Fiji assassination plot to reappear in court today

11:25 am on 7 November 2007

The 10 people charged in connection with a conspiracy to assassinate Fiji's interim prime minister, members of his cabinet and military officers will re-appear in the Suva magistrate's court today.

They are then expected to make their plea to charges of inciting mutiny and conspiracy to murder and apply for bail.

No plea was taken when they were brought to the court under heavy security late yesterday.

The director of public prosecutions, Josaia Naigulevu, dropped the original police charge of treason.

Mr Naigulevu was reported as saying that the laying of charges would be an ongoing process and would depend on the evidence that is presented.

The 10 accused include the Naitasiri paramount chief and former government senator, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, and his brother in law and former senior military officer, Lt Col Jone Baledrokadroka,

Also charged are the former director of the dissolved Fiji Intelligence Service, Col Metuisela Mua, former MP Peceli Rinakama, and six former soldiers from the CRW unit which carried out the May 2000 coup and the army mutiny in November of that year.