14 May 2009

Methodist minister in Fiji facing police questioning

3:21 pm on 14 May 2009

A Methodist Minister in Fiji is being questioned at the Police Special Branch in Suva.

Reverend Manasa Lasaro had been waiting to be taken to the army barracks, after the Methodist Church office received a warning from the military.

Before he was taken into custody by police Reverend Lasaro said he believed the warning was because of statements the church made last week reiterating its oppositon to the actions of the interim government.

He said this position was reiterated at the church's divisional meeting in the last week, along with a statement that the constitution had been thrown out by a military dictatorship.

Reverend Lasaro was taken from his home at 11.30 this morning.

It is not believed he has been charged yet.