19 Jan 2004

Courts martial resume in Fiji tomorrow

4:26 pm on 19 January 2004

The court martial of 25 Fiji soldiers charged with mutiny in November of 2000 will resume in Suva tomorrow.

The Daily Post quotes military spokesman, Warrant Officer Neumi Leweni, as saying all 25 were allegedly involved in the attempted takeover of the main camp in Suva, led by convicted soldier, Captain Shane Stevens.

66 other soldiers will face a charge of treason in court on January the 26th for their part in the Speight coup which overthrew the Labour coalition government.

The resumption of the court martials follow the military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, publicly expressing his wish to remain in his post after the expiry of his term in March to complete all coup and mutiny prosecutions.

But, there is growing acrimony as some officials are reported to want the commander replaced so the trials can be dropped and those already sentenced can be pardoned or have their sentences reduced.

This has reportedly led to a split among senior officers with the army chief of staff, Colonel Ratu George Kadavulevu, being sent on leave and replaced with another officer.