16 Apr 2007

Three soldiers in custody for mutiny in Fiji to be moved to Suva

6:03 am on 16 April 2007

Three Fiji military officers, who have been taken taken into custody for allegedly inciting a mutiny, are expected to be transferred to Suva from Labasa in Vanua Levu.

The men are from the Sukanaivalu Barracks

The Fiji Sun reports that the three, a captain and two warrant officers, will face a court martial after investigations by a military board of inquiry.

The military's director of legal services, Major Kitione Tuinausara, says orders were issued in March that Territorial Force soldiers at Labasa would be demobilised.

Major Tuinausara says that on receiving the order, the three officers in custody allegedly incited soldiers not to go on checkpoint duties and not to perform any other duties because they were going to be demobilized.

He says the soldiers who do not agree with orders should resign and not try to divide the army.