Michael Morrah
SUVA (TV3 News/Pacific Media Watch): A New Zealander who has had his passport confiscated as part of an investigation into Fiji's runaway military chief is still being held by police.
Fiji authorities say the investigation into lieutenant-colonel Ratu Tevita Mara is being handled fairly and are pressing on with trying to extradite him from Tonga.
But now the fugitive Fijian colonel wants to come to New Zealand.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is Fiji's Attorney-General and one of Commodore Frank Bainimarama's closest associates.
The military leader who left Fiji has labelled Bainimarama a political “puppet” of the Attorney-General, but he says that is not the case.
“Like I said, all decisions are made by cabinet and it's a collective decision,” says Khaiyum.
He says the incident with Mara is not a dispute between Fiji and Tonga and also leveled critics at the way the New Zealand media has covered the story.
“I think generally speaking the New Zealand media has been quite abhorrent. All rules of professionalism have gone out the window,” he says.
From the safety of Tonga, Mara has also criticised the struggling Fijian economy - but Khaiyum says the economy is doing well, with Fiji having record tourist numbers last year, and a four percent gain already this year.
“So far the numbers are looking good, but like I said it's not just a numbers game but a yields game also,” he says.
Mara has also expressed concerned about the tactics being used to interview people police claim helped him escape.
3 News has been told suspects - including New Zealander Anthony Fullman - have been asked to change their statements to police. Khaiyum says that is rubbish.
“I understand that that is not taking place,” he says.
3 News understands Fullman, who used to work in Wellington at the Inland Revenue Department, has had his house searched by police. His computers and USB sticks along with his passport have been seized and he has been questioned at length three times by police over Mara's escape.
An extradition order for Mara has arrived in Tonga, and Fiji's Solicitor-General Christopher Pryde says because people can be extradited for offences carrying two years jail or more, he is confident it will work.
Prime Minister John Key says there has been no formal request for Mara to come to New Zealand.
“If that is the case then we’ll consider that - there are a number of things that MFAT would have to consider and they're in the process of putting together some advice for me but at the moment there has been no formal request,” he says.
Pacific Media Watch
