3 Jan 2008

Businessman accused of involvement in Fiji assassination plot still under guard

11:09 am on 3 January 2008

A man accused of plotting to assassinate Fiji's interim Prime Minister says he is a political prisoner as others arrested with him have been released on bail.

Ballu Khan has spent 57 days at the Suva Private Hospital, with armed police outside his door.

Police insist Mr Khan is not being detained but he maintains he is being held in custody.

Mr Khan and 10 others are suspects in the alleged plot to kill Commodore Frank Bainimarama, other senior ministers and several military officers.

His lawyer, Peter Williams QC has filed a compensation suit claiming millions of dollars in in damages.

A court hearing to decide whether police have enough evidence to continue to detain him has been adjourned until next week.