14 Dec 2012

Fiji Labour party leader says police surveillance nothing new

5:27 pm on 14 December 2012

The leader of the Fiji Labour Party Mahendra Chaudhry says he has no doubt that he is being monitored by the police and is not surprised by what appears to be a list outlining the movements of about 70 'persons of interest'.

The document posted to the blog site Coupfourpointfive, is purported to be compiled by the Fiji Police, and lists high profile pro-democracy campaigners such as Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, and Reverend Aquila Yabaki.

The assistant commissioner of police, Rusiate Tudravu, says he's not aware of the document but says his staff will check out the report.

It includes comments about where people have travelled, who they've met, and in some cases when they've sought medical treatment.

Mr Chaudhry says he's been under police surveillance for a long time.

"This is nothing new, it doesn't come to me as news. I know my movements are watched here in Fiji and when I go abroad, when I return. I know that they have information as to the countries I've visited and possibly people that I have met."

Mahendra Chaudhry says monitoring by the police is designed to intimidate those who are opposed to the regime.