24 Jun 2010

Fiji detention continues for two over disaster claims

12:50 pm on 24 June 2010

Fiji's Rugby Union chairman Bill Gavoka and a pastor remain in police custody for spreading a claim that Fiji would be hit by a natural disaster.

The pair are being asked to account for sending out a letter and an email warning, many days in advance, that a massive earthquake and tsunami were to hit Fiji on Wednesday afternoon at 2.30.

A police spokesman, Atunaisa Sokomuri, says it caused unnecessary disruption to people who believed in the rumours.

He says it's up to the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide whether to lay charges.

"At the moment Mr Gavoka and the pastor are still being detained by our officers as they are being interviewed by our officers in relation to the email that they've been involved in relation to the prophecy that they had said would occur but it did not happen and it is likely that after consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will then decide whether to charge them on this."

Atunaisa Sokomuri says no one else is being detained over the matter.