Ratu Tevita Mara Photo: Loop Tonga
Lau high chief Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara will attend the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) meeting on Bau island next week even as Fiji Police say a border alert issued on March 15 remains effective against him.
Ratu Tevita, also known as Roko Ului, is next in line to be traditionally installed as the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau, or the paramaount chief of Lau.
He is the son of former Tui Nayau and Fiji's first Prime Minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
Ratu Tevita confirmed to RNZ Pacific that he will depart Nuku'alofa - where has been living in exile since 2011 - on Monday, for the Suva trip.
"I am surprised that they still have that [border alert] as I have made two previous trips to Fiji, in March and in April," Ratu Tevita said.
"On my first trip, I left the country on March 14 and that order was issued on March 15. I returned to Fiji again on April 4 and left the country on April 8 without any issues," he said.
"I am going back to Fiji on Monday for the GCC and if they want to arrest me then it is their duty."
'He will be arrested'
Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew confirmed the border control was issued because Ratu Tevita is a "person of interest".
"That means he will be arrested on arrival and will be questioned by police and can be released after," Chew told RNZ Pacific.
The border alert was issued by the Criminal Investigations Department.
Ratu Tevita was charged with one count of sedition after the former government of Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama alleged that he and former Land Force Commander Pita Driti were planning to take over government.
He was on bail when he fled to Tonga in May 2011 while on bail and was given protection by the Tongan Royal Family and the Tongan government.
In past statements, Ratu Tevita had attacked then PM Bainimarama and his government and called on the former Republic of Fiji Military Forces commander to give up leadership of the government and return to camp.
He also apologised publicly for his part in the December 2006 coup.
Ratu Tevita and Colonel Driti had been part of the Military Council set up by former PM Bainimarama.
