An indigenous Fijian senator who was held hostage during the Speight coup has named people who, she says, were involved in overthrow of the government and the removal of her father, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, as president.
Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau has told the Upper House that there were senators present in it and government MPs in the Lower House whom she saw in parliament during her five and half weeks of captivity.
She named among them the current minister for information, Simione Kaitani, who spoke out against President Mara and the current minister for lands, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who, she said, gave orders for the burning of the president's farm in Seaqaqa.
Adi Koila named the current sports minister, Isireli Leweniqila, and the jailed deputy speaker of parliament, Vakalalabure.
She criticised the government's decision to appoint the former police commissioner, Col Savua, as representative to the UN and offering the Washington embassy to Sitiveni Rabuka after both, she said, supported the coup.
Adi Koila said jailed vice president Seniloli came voluntarily into parliament to be sworn in as the usurper president, ignoring the existence of the legally appointed president and her father.
She said Seniloli and Vakalalabure were still being paid their salaries in jail and questioned why there was no compensation for those who lost family members, homes, farms and means of livelihood.
