Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji’s interim government declares Fiji Sun publisher a ’prohibited immigrant’

Posted at 22:57 on 26 February, 2008 UTC

Fiji’s interim Government says it has declared Fiji Sun publisher Russell Hunter a ’prohibited immigrant’.

Fiji Live online says a statement from the prime minister’s media unit says the declaration follows a proper investigation by the relevant authorities.

It went on to say Mr Hunter was conducting himself in a manner prejudicial to the peace, defence, public safety, public order, security and stability of the sovereign state of the Fiji Islands.

The statement also says Mr Hunter violated the terms and conditions of his status in Fiji under immigration laws and the Department of Immigration has accordingly exercised it statutory responsibility in getting him declared a Prohibited Immigrant.

Meanwhile, the interim Immigration minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau would not comment further on the issue.