1 Feb 2007

Fiji's military reportedly on heightened alert

6:04 am on 1 February 2007

Fiji's military is reported to have gone on heightened alert following the seizure of high-powered sniper rifles at the homes of two senior police officers.

Fiji TV reports that the American-made rifles fitted with telescopic sights could be used in executions of people at long distances.

The military says the un-registered weapons were neither army nor police issue firearms.

43 live rounds of ammunition were also seized.

The military says the weapons were in the possession of Assistant Commissioner Samuela Matakibau who is now in custody at the army camp in Suva and another police officer who is now working in Solomon Islands.

The TV report says army intelligence is now assessing information obtained from Matakibau on whether there were plans to use these weapons against the military.