17 Oct 2011

Call on NZ government to deal with Fiji regime over sedition suspect

4:56 am on 17 October 2011

The family of a New Zealand man being held in Fiji on sedition charges says the New Zealand government needs to liaise directly with the military regime.

Jagath Karunaratne was detained for questioning for seven days, before appearing in court on Friday along with four other men charged with writing seditious comments in public places.

A family member, the pro-democracy movement's Rajesh Singh, says he has received assistance from the New Zealand High Commission in Suva.

"We are thankful for that, but at the same time, what we want is for the New Zealand government to take a direct approach, like the Minster for Foreign Affairs, or the Prime Minister, they should just liaise directly with the regime in Fiji, and tell them, this is all ridiculous, because, where is democracy?"

Rajesh Singh says the five men will be transferred to Korovou prison today.

They are due to reappear in court on Friday.