16 Mar 2005

Fiji party wants police and prosecutors probed

3:40 pm on 16 March 2005

Fiji's pro-coup Conservative Alliance Matanitu Vanua party says it will call for a commission of inquiry into the work of the police commissioner and the director of public prosecutions.

Radio Legend says the party will move a motion at the next sitting of parliament calling for the setting up of an inquiry.

The Conservative Alliance, some of leading members are facing coup related charges, is alleging that the police commissioner and the DPP have been selective in the prosecution of people involved in the coup.

In particular, it is asking why those involved in the removal from office of the former president, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, have not been prosecuted, an act which the party describes as high treason.

The allegations have been made in a letter to the chief magistrate, David Balram, in which the party is also threatening to take the issue to the International Court of Justice.

The prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, has told Radio Legend that he is not aware of the letter from his junior coalition partner.

The radio says it has sent a copy of the letter to Mr Qarase