14 Aug 2015

Fiji lawyer says rights denied for sedition-accused

9:38 am on 14 August 2015

The lawyer for several people facing sedition charges in Fiji has hit out at prosecutors, saying they are not following due process.

Aman Ravindra-Singh represents three men who have had their bail revoked and are now in custody on charges of sedition and inciting communal antagonism.

Mr Ravindra-Singh says the men's constitutional rights were violated as they were in custody beyond the 48 hours allowed before a court appearance.

He says their rights have continued to be abused in court with no charge sheet or evidence presented.

"From the defence side we have seen no evidence right now with what's being alleged. It's very upsetting also that things are being played out in the media which should not even be there until it has been presented in a court of law."

Twenty one people in three separate groups have appeared in court over the last two days, all facing charges of sedition.

State prosecutors called for them to be remanded in custody due to the seriousness of the charges and ongoing police investigations.

The police have urged calm saying they have control of the situation involving alleged seditious acts in the hills of Ra Province.

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Photo: RNZ