Fiji feels the heavy hand of a dictator

Michael McKenna
The Australian
Jan. 03, 2007

FIJIAN military dictator Frank Bainimarama yesterday suspended the country's top judicial figures as he stepped up a campaign of beatings and intimidation of opponents.

The defence forces leader and self-appointed president has presided over a wave of reported arrests of critics and pro-democracy supporters since he ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase in a bloodless coup on December 5.

The Australian's sources and local Fijian media outlets have reported almost daily arrests and beatings after the military issued a statement on December 27 warning people to "exercise caution" when making public statements.

The violence has even extended to Commodore Bainimarama's own family, with a man killed on Saturday night at the wedding of his daughter, Ateca, at the Suva Yacht Club.

Police yesterday refused to comment on claims that the dead man, the uncle of the groom, was clubbed to death by a senior naval officer and adviser of Commodore Bainimarama.

"We are still investigating and have yet to speak with the suspect, I will not comment any further" Superintendent Ponsami Chetty said.

Fiji military spokesman Major Neumi Leweni yesterday told The Australian that opponents were being detained but he refused to comment on allegations they had been beaten, tortured or, in the case of several women, threatened with rape.

All of those detained have been taken to the army's Queen Elizabeth II barracks, overlooking the capital Suva, and held for up to 15 hours. "All I can tell you right now is that, yes, we have taken in some people but the details of whatever they have been through in camp, I will not be able to confirm to you," Major Leweni said.

Among those detained have been the secretary to the Great Council of Chiefs Adi Litia Qionibaravi, several employees and former MPs of Mr Qarase's Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party and six pro-democracy demonstrators.

Even people who have criticised Commodore Bainimarama in conversations at bars have been reported, arrested and detained.

In an interview with the Fiji Times newspaper, Commodore Bainimarama defended the tactics, saying his critics had "had their warning".

"We are going to do this cleaning-up process and if there's an intention on some people's part to voice objections in the hope that Qarase will come back again, that's not going to happen," he told the newspaper. "We will make sure of that."

At a press conference yesterday, Commodore Bainimarama announced he had suspended the country's top judge and magistrate as he launched an investigation into allegations of corruption in the judiciary.

Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki and Chief Magistrate Naomi Lomaiviti have been sent on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Commodore Bainimarama, who refused to take questions, said some judges and magistrates had been involved in "questionable activities" since the previous coup in 2000, when a government led by the country's first ethnic Indian prime minister was deposed.

The suspensions were announced as Australian conman Peter Foster claimed he expected to be cleared of fraud charges after helping the military in investigating claims of corruption and vote rigging against Mr Qarase.