30 Apr 2009

Detained Fiji nationalist Duvuloco taken to hospital

7:05 pm on 30 April 2009

One of the five Fiji nationalists, who have been in police custody this week, has been admitted to the country's largest referral hospital in Suva.

Iliesa Duvuloco, a minister in the illegal government established by 2000 coup frontman George Speight, was taken to hospital on Wednesday morning after complaining of chest pains.

Admitted at the Coronary Care Unit, Mr Duvuloco remains under police guard.

The Ministry for Health spokesperson, Iliesa Tora, has confirmed with Radio New Zealand International that Mr Duvuloco was still in hospital; he wouldn't elaborate on the politician's exact condition.

Police sources say none of the five men has been released.

The group is accused of being behind the distribution of pamphlets reportedly urging indigenous people to question recent political developments.

The Fiji Military Forces reportedly uncovered the pamphlets during a public relations exercise in Tailevu province, a nationalist stronghold and home of Speight.

The five men are still to be charged.

Mr Duvuloco has only recently been released from prison for charges relating to his participation in the 2000 coup.

He is also leader of one of the four political parties that were excluded by the caretaker prime minister Frank Bainimarama at the last political forum.