15 Mar 2004

Fiji's police commissioner denies coup charges have been selective

7:28 am on 15 March 2004

Fiji's police commissioner has denied that police have been selective in prosecuting the prominent alleged perpetrators of the May 200 coup.

Andrews Hughes told the Sunday Post that police have so far charged two thousand three hundred people.

These include the vice president, Ratu Jope Seniloli, the deputy speaker of parliament, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure, the sports minister Isireli Leweniqila and the lands ministers Ratu Naiqamu Lalabalavu.

Mr Hughes says he fails to see how anyone can sustain allegations that police have been selective in their prosecutions.

He says the mainstream coup investigation is reviewing seven files, including the involvement of businessmen, the former commissioner of police, Colonel Isikia Savua and the swearing in of people into George Speight's failed administration.