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Fiji police quiz ministers
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Posted on Oct 25 2000
Suva (The Fiji Times/PINA Nius Online) — Two of Fiji’s interim government ministers have been questioned by police on their alleged involvement in activities during the 19 May coup.
Agriculture Minister Apisai Tora did not want to comment but police sources confirmed he was questioned over the weekend.
Information Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has also been questioned.
Acting Assistant Minister Crime Emosi Vunisa said: “I can only confirm that a number of interim ministers are under investigation not only for their involvement in the coup, but criminal activity during the coup.”
He referred all questions to Acting Police Commissioner Moses Driver. Mr. Driver hung up the phone when contacted last night.
Mr. Vunisa said he was unsure of the number of ministers under investigation..
Mr. Tora acted as spokesman for his fellow Sabeto villagers when they erected a roadblock on the Viti Levu’s main Queens Highway between Nadi and Lautoka during unrest after the coup.
The main issue the villagers were concerned about was the appointment of the Tui Vuda Ratu Josefa Iloilo, a high chief from the same side of the island. When the Tui Vuda was confirmed as president the roadblock was lifted.
Fiji is now governed by an interim administration supported by the indigenous Fijian Great Council of Chiefs and the Fiji Military Forces.
The Fiji Military Forces had declared martial law to stop growing unrest and violence after indigenous Fijian rebel gunmen took hostage Fiji’s first ethnic Indian prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, and his government.
