Former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama will appear in court in Suva on Friday March 10 to face charges of abuse of authority, police said, months after his defeat in the last election that ousted him from his position. job.
The prosecutors of the Republic of Fiji brought this charge against Frank Bainimarama but also against Sitiveni Qiliho, an important political ally of this figurehead of the opposition, suspended from his post of police commissioner in January by President Wiliame Katonivere.
Abuse around a "police investigation"
Acting Deputy Commissioner Sakeo Raikaci said in a statement that the two men would remain in custody until they were brought before a court in the capital.
They are accused of abusing the authority conferred by their respective offices to "
terminate an ongoing police investigation
", said Christopher Pryde, who is leading the public prosecution.
Details of the investigations are not known, but the case relates to the activities of former staff at Fiji's University of the South Pacific in July 2019
. wanted
, ”added Christopher Pryde, without giving further details.
Frank Bainimarama served as prime minister from 2007, following a bloodless coup the previous year, until the last elections in December 2022. He finally resigned his mandate on Wednesday March 8 Member of Parliament after being suspended for three years by Parliament.
In a speech, he criticized his successor, Sitiveni Rabuka, as well as Wiliame Katonivere.
According to him, Sitiveni Rabuka has failed in its task of protecting the Constitution, "
almost daily
" flouted by the new government.