Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji military beats former politician unconscious, says Amnesty

Updated at 4:52 pm on 26 February 2011

Amnesty International says it has grave fears for the safety of activists and government critics in Fiji.

Amnesty says former politician Samasoni Tikonisau was earlier this week subject to a savage beating at the hands of the military.

It says Mr Tikonisau was taken into army barracks on Monday and released three days later to be flown to Australia for treatment.

It says Mr Tikonisau, also known as Sam Speight, was beaten until he lost consciousness.

Amnesty says that in the past week a government critic, several trade unionists and politicians have all been detained and beaten.

There has been no comment from Fiji's military regime.

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