9 Sep 2004

Fiji police asked to investigate claim that Mahendra Chaudhry had prior knowledge of coup

8:41 pm on 9 September 2004

Fiji police have been asked to investigate a complaint that the Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, had prior knowledge of the coup in which his government was overthrown.

Radio Legend reports that the police commissioner, Andrew Hughes, has confirmed receiving an official complaint against Mr Chaudhry.

Mr Hughes says he has not looked into the complaint as yet but will do so.

The radio station quotes reliable sources as saying the complaint has been lodged by a government official.

It says when contacted, the official refused to comment.

But the police spokesman, Mesake Koroi, says the complainant has been given till next week to produce evidence to back his complaint.

Earlier, a Labour Party MP, Poseci Bune, has lodged a complaint with the police, that the prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, had prior knowledge of the coup.