22 Jun 2011

Fiji's Driti trial adjourned after defendant's absence

2:38 pm on 22 June 2011

A former Fiji Land Force Commander charged with sedition and inciting mutiny, Brigadier General Pita Driti, has failed to appear in court today.

Fijilive says this has prompted the court to adjourn the case until this afternoon.

Brigadier Driti was last in court two weeks ago when his case was adjourned after his lawyer asked for the prosecution to disclose its information on which the charges were based.

At the beginning of last month, he appeared with Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Uluilakeba Mara who was also charged with sedition.

After the two were granted bail and ordered to surrender their passports, Col Mara left Fiji for Tonga by sea.

He has since accused his former coup co-conspirator and coup leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, of serious human rights abuses and asked police to investigate.

Fiji says it will be seeking Col Mara's extradition from wherever he visits.