20 Feb 2007

Fiji's deposed prime minister unconvinced by assurances on free speech

7:53 pm on 20 February 2007

Fiji's ousted Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, says he remains unconvinced by assurances from the interim administration that the public is happy to comment on the military-backed regime's activities.

The interim Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khayum, has dismissed claims that people are afraid to speak out against and says fewer members of the public are being taken to the barracks.

But Mr Qarase says he is still getting reportsof intimidation:

"The interim attorney general is saying one thing, assuring people that people are not taken up and that the interim administration is there to follow the law, but what is happening on the ground is something different."

Fiji's ousted Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase.