1 Jun 2011

Bench warrant for runaway Fiji Colonel extended

11:57 am on 1 June 2011

The bench warrant for Fijian fugitive, Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Uluilakeba Mara has been extended to August 3.

Fiji Live reports the application was made by the Director for Public Prosecutions at the Suva Magistrates Court this morning.

The bench warrant is for Ratu Tevita's failure to comply with his bail conditions that included a weekly report to the Samabula Police Station and the payment of $2,000 for his bail.

Lieutenant Colonel Mara fled to Tonga last month and Fiji is now seeking his extradition on a sedition charge.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for the former Land Force Commander Pita Driti has requested full disclosure from the DPP on the charges against his client.

Driti was charged at the same time as Ratu Tevita and is facing two counts of uttering seditious comments and one count of inciting mutiny.

The DPP has been given two weeks to provide full disclosures to the court.