The leader of Fiji's SODELPA party says the former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, has been advised to extend his stay in the United States because he risks being arrested on arrival in Fiji.
Mr Qarase was the last elected leader until he was removed by a military coup in 2006.
Mr Qarase has been involved with SODELPA but cannot stand in the election because he was convicted of abuse of office two years ago and jailed for nine months.
The SODELPA leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa, says the party has received what she calls credible information that Mr Qarase is again a target of the regime.
Ro Teimumu says Fiji's Independent Commission Against Corruption has questioned a number of officials about Mr Qarase's activities and statements and SODELPA believes the intent is to create a justification to arrest him.
She says Mr Qarase has done nothing wrong.
Sodelpa Party Headquarters Photo: RNZI / Sally Round
