27 Feb 2007

Fiji military places former PM Rabuka under surveillance

10:55 am on 27 February 2007

Fiji's military has put the former Fiji prime minister and 1987 coup leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, under surveillance.

Fiji TV reports that this has been confirmed by the military spokesman, Major Neumi Leweni.

Major Leweni says also under surveillance are former soldiers of the Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit set up by Mr Rabuka who staged the November 2000 army mutiny, who have been freed after serving their sentences.

The mutiny was staged to assassinate the military commander and current interim prime minister, Commodore Bainimarama.

Last year Mr Rabuka faced a High Court trial for attempting to incite mutiny but was acquitted.

The director of public prosecutions is to appeal that decision in the Fiji Court of Appeal.