By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist
Fiji’s former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and ex-police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho are out on bail after appearing in court, charged with inciting mutiny.
The pair appeared for a first call before the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday and were granted bail under strict conditions.
Magistrate Yogesh Prasad also issued a stop departure order, meaning they cannot leave Fiji.
The state requested time to provide a full set of disclosures to the defence and the matter was adjourned until March 5.
Prosecutors allege that in 2023 the two encouraged senior military officers to arrest and overthrow their commander, Ro Jone Kalouniwai.
They are alleged to have spoken with high-ranking military officers during a meeting and “grog session” in July that year at Bainimarama’s Suva home.
Bainimarama also faces a second charge relating to text messages he allegedly sent between January and July 2023 to Brigadier General Manoa Gadai urging him to take command.
Night behind bars
The long-serving former prime minister, who is also a former head of Fiji’s military, spent Wednesday night behind bars with Qiliho before their court appearance.
They were arrested, handcuffed and driven to Totogo police station following lengthy questioning that day.
The Opposition leader Inia Seruiratu said the timing of their arrest suggested it was politically-motivated.
The former FijiFirst MP claims Bainimarama is still a threat to Sitiveni Rabuka’s coalition government.
“Political opponents, of course Bainimarama and [Aiyaz Sayed-] Khaiyum and a few others are a big threat to the current government.
There may be political reasons behind this because of the elections in 2026.” Seruiratu said.
Party rebranded
The opposition leader has rebranded the deregistered FijiFirst party and set up a new political party, People First, to contest the general election.
Seruiratu said he had hoped Bainimarama would back the new party, but he did not.
He still believes Bainimarama has political currency.
“Although people may think they [Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum] are just minor players, they can be involved to some extent, given their past achievements and popularity. They still have support, they still have sympathisers, Seruiratu said.
RNZ Pacific has sought comment from military spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Eroni Duaibe and the government’s information director Samisoni Pareti.
Serious allegations
Fiji Labour party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry is questioning why it took the government so long to deal with the allegations.
“The charges and allegations are serious. If such attempts were made to incite mutiny, they should have been investigated much earlier and disposed of, rather than coming right toward the end of the term of the current government.”
Seruiratu added that their arrest reflects well on Fiji.
“No-one is above the law, this is the rule of law in action. Of course everyone, regardless of who you are in society, is answerable to the law and it is happening in Fiji right now.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz
