6 Jun 2008

Fiji magistrate Shah suspended pending probe

11:01 am on 6 June 2008

Fiji's interim attorney-general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says a magistrate Sayed Mukhtar Shah has been suspended pending an investigation.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum has told the Fiji Times that the suspension was implemented by the Judicial Service Commission.

Mr Shah's lawyer, Iqbal Khan, says his client was disappointed over his suspension on allegations made against him.

Mr Khan says his client was on full pay but disallowed from entering his chambers.

Mr Khan says Mr Shah believes his suspension was personal because of previous allegations he had raised against Justice Connors to the Fiji Law Society and the police.

Less than a month after the 2006 military coup, the interim regime asked the chief justice, Daniel Fatiaki, and the Chief Magistrate Naomi Lomaiviti, to vacate their positions pending an investigation.