SUVA (Pacific Beat/The Fiji Times/Pacific Media Watch): The number of people arrested and charged with various counts of sedition, inciting political violence and other similar charges in Fiji, is now up to 65.
A lawyer representing some of the people in these cases said the police and prosecution had created a climate of fear and insecurity over the people and citizens of Fiji, adding that the local media had been censored over the case.
Defence lawyer Aman Ravindra-Singh said: "Reading the articles and listening to the new bulletins from all media outlets in Fiji, there's been nothing from our side".
"When I say our side, we're talking about those accused. Even when I made comments to the local media, they have been censored."
Out of those charged, some have been accused of trying to form a separate Christian state while others are alleged to have used firearms and being involved in military-style training.
Lack of evidence
But Ravindra-Singh also said authorities were yet to show evidence of their claims.
He said he had yet to receive any information about evidence from prosecutors and police.
"In reality, we have been kept in the dark as counsel for these persons and we have yet to see any shred of evidence with regards to the allegations of guns and firearms being involved in military-style training," he said.
The Fiji Times reported six people had been arrested in relation to the case on Tuesday, with a further three arrested yesterday.
Police say more arrests will be made in the next few days.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama had vowed to "crush" any attempt at insurrection.
"There will be no so-called independent states established in Fiji," he said.
"Anyone who swears an illegal oath will face the full force of the law.
"Anyone who encourages political violence will face the full force of the law."
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand Licence.
Pacific Media Watch
