7 Dec 2015

Fiji AG hits out at Opposition over lawyer's claims

5:42 pm on 7 December 2015

Fiji's Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says the Opposition needs to be in tune with the ground realities in Fiji after its reaction to last week's allegations of torture by a local lawyer.

The Opposition says it is concerned about Aman Ravindra-Singh's claims of torture and threats by security forces which he detailed in an interview with RNZ International last week.

The Opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa says it appears Fiji is still governed by fear and intimidation.

According to the Fiji Sun, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum says the Opposition should stop feeding off what he describes as the insatiable appetite of certain media organisations in New Zealand and Australia to always portray Fiji in a negative light.

He says this portrayal comes at the expense of compromising the truth.

Mr Ravindra-Singh has denied backtracking on his claims as reported by the Fiji Sun and he says he will put out a statement this week.

The Lautoka-based lawyer says there have been three attacks, by men he believes are members of Fiji's security forces, on people close to him in recent weeks.

He says he believes this is because he is acting for dozens of people charged with sedition over recent months.

Fiji's Finance Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Fiji's Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum Photo: Supplied

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