25 Mar 2009

Fiji's interim Defence Minister says attacks could be to discredit interim govt

9:22 am on 25 March 2009

Fiji's interim Defence Minister, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, says the molotov bomb attacks over the weekend could be a move to discredit the interim Government.

Ratu Epeli made the comments after a meeting with the Police Commissioner to discuss the attacks on the homes of Fiji Times editor-in-chief Netani Rika and Global Risk Strategies boss Colonel Sakiusa Raivoce over the weekend.

He told Fiji Live online they do not know who is behind the attack.

But he says for all they know, the attacks could be a move to discredit the interim government.

The attack on Mr Rika's home was the second in just over two weeks. His car was stoned in the first attack.

There have been other such attacks this year - the stoning of vehicles belonging to unionist Attar Singh and former SDL parliamentarian Kenneth Zinck.

Meanwhile, police spokeswoman, Ema Mua, says police are now working round the clock to identify the culprits.