8 Nov 2007

Fiji police find ammunition in home of suspect in assassination case

8:42 am on 8 November 2007

Fiji police are reported to have seized ammunition from the home of one of the 11 suspects charged with conspiracy to assassinate the interim prime minister and key members of his administration and the military.

The assistant commissioner of police crime, Nasir Ali, has confirmed the seizure but declined to give any details because the ammunition will be presented in court as evidence.

Mr Ali says what has been found could be connected with the assassination conspiracy.

The Suva magistrate's court was told yesterday that the suspects tried to incite Major Isireli Lewaqai, Peniasi Kuli and other soldiers to commit mutiny against Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

The accused are charged with one count of inciting mutiny and 5 counts each of conspiracy to murder.

Their targets were Commodore Bainimarama, the interim finance minister Mahendra Chaudhry, the interim attorney general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Col Samuela Saumatua and Lt Col Sitiveni Qiliho.

The accused will reappear in court today to hear magistrate John Semisi's ruling on their bail application.