9 May 2019

Fiji's DPP takes issue with ILO over release of Felix Anthony

2:43 pm on 9 May 2019

Fiji's director of public prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, says the International Labour Organisation wasn't involved in negotiating the release of a trade union leader from custody.

Felix Anthony is greeted by media and his supporters upon his release.

Felix Anthony is greeted by media and his supporters upon his release. Photo: Fiji Trades Union Congress

The general secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Council, Felix Anthony, was arrested on Wednesday last week and held in police custody for two days.

The ILO said it took immediate action to negotiate with the Fiji government - in co-ordination with the rest of the UN system - for his release and that of the other trade unionists taken in earlier.

But Mr Pryde said the ILO had nothing to do with the release of the unionists.

He said they had been held for 48 hours, without charge, and released after police decided there was no need for further enquiry.

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