A new round of arrests related to May's coup is expected in Fiji, security sources in Suva said.


As the sources pointed to action against high-level police and army figures, the daily post newspaper on Thursday reported Vice-President Jope Seniloli, two cabinet ministers and several leading chiefs also face questioning and arrest. On May 19 failed businessman George Speight and a group of counter-revolutionary warfare soldiers seized parliament and held then Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry hostage for 56 days.
The post, which is part government owned, said police have started to round up Speight's key supporters.

Sources close to the inquiries have told that as many as 40 arrests, including top soldiers, were pending on a variety of charges.

Seniloli was initially named by Speight as his new head of state and he appeared at the time of the coup to accept and endorse what happened.
During negotiations between the military and Speight during the hostage crisis, Speight insisted Seniloli be the new president. However he was viewed by the military and peoples in the region as unacceptable.

Bureau Report