Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Deposed Fiji PM’s lawyer reports death threat to police

Posted at 21:56 on 28 August, 2007 UTC

The deposed Fiji prime minister’s lawyer, Tevita Fa, says he has reported the alleged death threat against Laisenia Qarase to the police.

The Daily Post reports that Mr Fa has appealed to the commissioner of police. Commodore Esala Teleni, to investigate the matter.

Mr Qarase has claimed that early yesterday morning he received a call on his landline phone from a male who claimed to be from the military.

The caller allegedly said the military was glad Mr Qarase would be returning to Suva on Friday and that he would be killed on his arrival in the capital.

Mr Qarase says two hours later he received a phone call from Air Fiji claiming the military had ordered the airline not to allow him to board any of its planes for a flight to Suva.

The military spokesman, Lt Col Mosese Tikoitoga, has rejected both claims saying Mr Qarase is trying to drum up local and international support and sympathy.

However, Air Fiji chief executive, Sieleni Vuataki, told fiji village news that the airline did receive instructions from the military not to transport Mr Qarase.

Tevita Fa says the police commissioner should ensure that people’s rights are not dominated by fear and Mr Qarase is being deprived of his basic human right to freedom of movement.