23 Sep 2005

Fiji's Chaudhry wants military to investigate coup

9:25 am on 23 September 2005

Fiji's opposition leader says he's rapidly losing confidence in the police and wants the military commander to investigate those who were responsible for the coup.

Mahendra Chaudhry, whose government was taken hostage in that coup, says senior elements in the police are holding back investigations and the military must now take on the probe.

Mr Chaudhry says this is a matter of national security because this week's revelations show plans to blow up Nadi International Airport and well-known shops in Suva.

He says if the police aren't going to act, they have to go to somebody who will ensure that that law and order, and the stability and security of the nation, are maintained.

Mr Chaudhry's comments follow revelations of the involvement of prominent people in the coup, by a former coup convict who's now a resident of Australia, Maciu Navakasuasua.

Mr Navakasuasua claims that he gave a 30-page statement to Fiji police detailing the planning and involvement of prominent people but the police condensed it to seven pages, leaving out the details and the names of the high profile people involved.

Mr Chaudhry is questioning whether police are shielding the people involved, by saying they don't have enough evidence.

He says that is a very serious indictment of police integrity.