12 Oct 2011

Fiji police hold NZ man for questioning

2:42 pm on 12 October 2011

The police in Fiji have confirmed a New Zealand man Jagath Karunaratne is in police custody for questioning.

It's not clear why he has been detained.

Sally Round reports.

"Relatives are concerned because Mr Karunaratne has a heart condition and they say he is not getting medical care. Fiji Assistant Commissioner of Police Henry Brown says the New Zealander is being well looked after and has been seen by consular officials. But an Auckland-based family member Rajesh Singh says family visited Mr Karunaratne again this morning and fear for his well-being as he has not been allowed to see a doctor. Henry Brown says no charges have been laid yet against the IT professional who he says is among a group of people being questioned. The official says he is the only foreign national in the group. Australian national and union official Shalend Scott was detained and charged five days ago with unlawful access to documents."