7 May 2009

Australia concerned about Fiji release of Rabaka assailants

12:10 pm on 7 May 2009

The Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith says he is concerned about reports from Fiji that eight soldiers and a police officer recently jailed for manslaughter have been released from prison.

The nine were sentenced in March to four years in prison for the manslaughter of Sakiusa Rabaka and four months for assault but have since been released under a community service order.

Mr Smith says Australia is generally concerned about the administration of legal institutions and justice in Fiji.

The release has been confirmed by the convicts' lawyer but he says he is not sure if they have been reinserted into the military.

Neither the prison authorities nor the interim regime have commented on the release.