$80 Fine For Terrorist Roadblockers

Issue No: 615 22 March 2001

Terrorists involved in blocking the country's major highway, the Queens Highway, during the terrorist crisis last year, have been fined $80 each by the Chief Magistrate Salesi Temo.

The terrorists erected a roadblock at Nabukavesi about 30 km out of Suva when Speight terrorists held the government hostage last year. They demanded to see passes issued by the `Government of George Speight' before allowing motorists through. The Speight terrorist group, then calling itself the Taukei Civilian Government, was issuing passes to motorists from the Parliament Complex. Very few motorists got the passes since to get the passes, motorists had to go to the Complex where many were robbed.

The 4 men who appeared before the magistrate yesterday came only when bench warrants for their arrest were issued.

The $80 fine for those who not only terrorised the nation, but who also failed to turn up to court, shows the absolute contempt of the law which the Chief Magistrate Salesi Temo has.

Over the past few months, numerous terrorists have either been freed totally, or given light sentences like minor fines or suspended sentences.

The trend confirms the views of many in Fiji that there is collaboration between sections of Fiji's judiciary and the terrorists. There is also a strong belief that the regime is awaiting an opportune time from now to the August election to pardon Speight and his band of terrorists. It is believed that Speight has threatened the regime to spill the beans if the regime proceeds to get him tried for treason.

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