The Fiji coup frontman jailed for life for treason, George Speight, has told the Suva High Court he will defend himself in a case brought against him for the coup.
Radio Legend reports that the civil case has been filed by the Prime Minister deposed in the coup, Mahendra Chaudhry, and four other member of his overthrown government.
They are claiming compensation from Speight, his fellow coup convict Timoci Silatolu, the state, the Attorney-General, the military and the former police commissioner, Col Isikia Savua.
The plaintiffs are claiming for the loss of their salaries and entitlements for the balance of the term of their government.
They are also claiming unspecified damages at the discretion of the High Court for their wrongful imprisonment, beatings, trauma, threats against their lives and breach of human rights.
They claim the military did not do its duty to protect the government and Col Savua, as the then police commissioner, had prior knowledge of the coup.
