15 Nov 2004

New Zealand handwriting expert helps Fiji police

3:42 pm on 15 November 2004

A New Zealand handwriting expert is helping Fiji police close in on people who were secretly sworn into George Speight's failed administration after the coup.

The secret ceremony was held behind closed doors before the televised one for which vice president Seniloli, deputy speaker Vakalalabure and others are serving jail sentences.

The police commissioner, Andrew Hughes, has told Radio Legend that the New Zealand handwriting expert has helped police make considerable progress.

The expert has matched the signatures of certain suspects with the ones put on documents signed during the illegal oath taking ceremony.

The investigation report is in its final stages before it goes to the director of public prosecutions for adjudication.

Mr Hughes says whether any further charges are laid is a legal decision for the DPP.