USP Pacific Journalism Online: http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/
Fiji elections coverage: http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/docs/news/index.html
USP Pasifik Nius: http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/nius/index.html
USP Pasifik Nius stories on Scoop (NZ): http://www.scoop.co.nz/international.htm
Have your say: http://www.TheGuestBook.com/vgbook/109497.gbook
Witnesses Blast Military Over Court Martial 'Treatment' http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/docs/news/wansolnews/wansol2708012.html
By ANISH CHAND: August 27, 2001 Wansolwara Online (USP)
SUVA (Pasifik Nius): The Fiji Military Forces came under fire today at the court martial hearing for 15 former soldiers
charged with mutiny.
Witnesses summoned by the RFMF to the opening day of the case criticised the army over the "second class" treatment they
received outside the hearing venue at Vatuwaqa, outside Suva.
Most of the witnesses present today were reporters from Fiji's three media outlets and one civilian who was inside army
headquarters at Nabua at the time of the attempted mutiny on November 2 last year.
Fiji Television reporter Imraz Iqbal was unhappy at how he was treated when he arrived at the hearing venue.
"I was told to wait outside the gate by soldiers. Little did I realise that I will have to wait for more than two hours
in the scorching sun and see the army officers enjoying tea inside," Iqbal told Wansolwara Online.
"This is being discourteous to the witnesses who are being treated as second class people," he said.
"This is just not on and I am having second thoughts on being a witness for the army if this is how we are going to be
treated."
Other reporters who have been summoned as witnesses are Sakiusa Bolaira of Fiji TV, Virisila Buadromo of FM96 and Trevor
Whippy, a cameraman from Fiji TV.
Asked for comment by Wansolwara Online, spokesman Captain Ned Taito said the military would make a statement about the
criticisms later.
After a brief hearing, the court martial was adjourned to September 10.
Justice Sarvadanand Sadal, who is judge advocate, also delayed making a decision on whether the trial will be open to
the public.
The army's director of legal services Major Mohammed Aziz, appeared for the prosecution team, while the 15 soldiers had
their respective lawyers present during the brief hearing.
Colonel Ilaisa Kacisolomone is the president of the court martial.
The 15 soldiers, members of the now disbanded Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit, are alleged to have tried to take over
the army barracks in a surprise attack at the headquarters in Nabua.
They are alleged to have killed three soldiers during the siege.
* THE CITIZENS CONSTITUTIONAL FORUM tonight called for the court martial to be an open hearing, saying important human
rights issues were involved.
Spokesman Ponipate Ravula said the forum was "mindful of the issues of national security" that might prevent public
access to the hearing.
"However, the military should be very clear on its legal grounds should it decide to refuse public access," he said.
+++niuswire
This document is for educational and research use only. Recipients should seek permission from the copyright source
before reprinting. PASIFIK NIUS service is provided by the niusedita via the Journalism Program, University of the South
Pacific. Please acknowledge Pasifik Nius: journ@usp.ac.fj http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/nius/index.html