10 May 2003

Fiji's opposition leader calls for further arrests over coup

7:25 am on 10 May 2003

Fiji's opposition leader, Mick Beddoes, says the key players in the coup, its planners and funders, should be arrested and brought to justice.

The comments follow serious coup-related charges brought against the vice-president, Ratu Jope Seniloli, the deputy speaker of parliament, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure, the sports minister, Isireli Leweniqila, and three others.

All six have been charged with taking unlawful oaths to commit a capital offence and engaging in a seditious enterprise for being sworn in as members of George Speight's failed administration.

Meanwhile, police have confirmed that more key players in the coup are likely to be charged as investigations intensify.

Assistant police commissioner, Emosi Vunisa, says more people are now coming forward with information which was hard to come by until recently.

Mr Vunisa says some files like those of the high commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, and the high commissioner to Malaysia, Adi Samanunu Talakuli Cakobau, are still open.

Other files have been sent to the director of public prosecutions for action.