14 Nov 2011

Fiji trade union leader says charges designed to intimidate

4:21 pm on 14 November 2011

The Fiji trade union leader Daniel Urai says the police detention of him and his colleagues is designed to intimidate.

Mr Urai faces charges under the interim regime's Crime Decree of urging political violence and was released on bail last week.

Another union leader, Felix Anthony, the general secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress, was released from police custody last week after six days of questioning.

No charges were laid but the police said Mr Anthony may be brought in again.

Mr Urai says it is the regime's way of trying to intimidate any form of opposition.

"Whether or not their charges will stick is not the matter here, they just want to harass us, they just want us to go through the system and get thrown into remand prison. It's done just to sort of weaken our resolve."

Daniel Urai says he is waiting on documents detailing the charge against him before he enters a plea.