Fiji President Grants Immunity To Coup-sters

SUVA (RNZI Online/Pacific Media Watch) - Fiji’s president and commander-in-chief has issued a decree granting full and unconditional immunity to all those who played a part in last month’s coup to oust the Qarase government.

Fiji TV reports that the immunity covers the military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, all regular and reserve force officers and troops, the police force and all those who acted under their directions.

President Iloilo’s decree gives them immunity from prosecution in all civil and criminal proceedings as well as any disciplinary and professional charges that might be brought.

The immunity decree comes as aggrieved parties are threatening to take their grievances to court.

The interim Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khayum, says there is provision for compensation for those who may have suffered unlawful injuries at the hands of the military.

He says anyone wanting to mount legal action may do so but the courts will be the final arbiter.

Commodore Bainimarama says all allegations of human rights abuse will be investigated, adding that people taken in for questioning were those who repeatedly defied warnings.

+++niuswire

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