Naidu Complains About Mosquitoes, Curry
Issue No: 871 21 June 2001
Conman Navin Naidu, whom conman-cum-terrorist George Speight had hired as his lawyer, has complained of mosquitoes and curry. Naidu has been kept in custody since last week when he was arrested trying to flee the country after it was discovered that he did not have the law degree which he claimed he had.
Naidu this week engaged Haroon Ali Shah to represent him.
Shah, a Member of Parliament elected under the People's Coalition banner, was sacked from the Fiji Labour Party over two weeks ago for, inter alia, breaching party discipline. Shah was not held hostage when the People's Coalition Government was taken hostages by terrorists.
Shah told the media yesterday that Naidu claimed that mosquitoes in his cell were bothering him, and that the jail food comprising dhal, rice and curry did not go well with Naidu. The prison authorities stated that all detainees were treated similarly, and that no one would be favoured.
Naidu will appear by the Magistrate's Court today.
Meanwhile the state owned Daily Post has called for repatriation of Naidu rather than Naidu facing criminal charges in Fiji. It is understood that the paper was influenced by the regime. The regime fears that Naidu's trial will reveal the identities of persons who were behind bringing Naidu into Fiji. These include some close supporters of the regime.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Naidu was arrested from the home of terrorist Simione Drole's brother in Lautoka. Before being arrested and charged for treason last year, Lautoka residents had seen Drole visiting Shah at his law offices. It is not clear whether Shah also represents Drole.
END