8 Mar 2007

Operators of website criticising Fiji's interim government being hunted by the military

4:22 pm on 8 March 2007

Fiji's military is on the hunt for those responsible for publishing the Internet website Intelligentsiya.com.

This follows the publication on the website of a story which alleged that a 24-year old man in the northern division died from injuries he sustained after being taken in by soldiers taking part in a drug raid.

The military spokesman, Major Neumi Leweni, says it is of serious concern that the owners of the website and publishers of the article continue to publish such stories without seeking clarification.

Major Leweni says those responsible are trying to discredit the military and they will be hunted down.

He says the military is closely monitoring the website and has a fair idea of who these people are.

The military has also lodged a compliant with the police about the website.

Yesterday, the news director Fiji TV, Netani Rika, was summoned to the military camp about the use of the alleged northern division death story from the website and headed its evening news bulletin with an apology.