6 Nov 2007

Three more alleged plotters to appear in Suva court today

10:45 am on 6 November 2007

Three more people have been charged in Fiji in connection with a conspiracy to assassinate the interim prime minister, Commodore Bainimarama, some members of his cabinet and senior military officers.

They were charged last night with treason, instigating invasion, misprision of treason, conspiracy to murder and incitement to mutiny.

Their identities have not been released but they will appear in court today along with three other people who were charged earlier.

The first three include the paramount chief of Naitasiri and former government senator, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, the former director of the disbanded Fiji Intelligence Service, Col Metuisela Mua, and a former soldier, Barbados Mills.

Mua has a previous conviction for the 2000 coup while Takiveikata and Mills have convictions for the November 2000 mutiny.

One of the 16 people detained since Saturday has been questioned and released.

Police also want to question more people in relation to the conspiracy including a former MP and an NGO representative.