Govt denies report against Bainimarama

There is no police report against Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama or the government, says Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Sharon Smith-Johns.

Smith-Johns was responding to an international media report stating that Fiji Trades Union Congress leader Felix Anthony had filed a police report against Bainimarama last month.

Anthony alleges that military officers including Bainimarama threatened and assaulted him and his colleagues.

He claimed that he was punched and kicked by at least five soldiers, leaving him with a damaged eardrum and bruising.

“These reports are inaccurate and mischievous with the aim of promoting personal agendas,” said Smith-Johns.

Smith-Johns said a complaint was filed against some members of the military and not against Bainimarama or the government.

She said the allegations by Anthony were reported following Bainimarama’s visit to the Rarawai Sugar Mill last year and the alleged case dates back to February 2011.

She said the move begs the question as to why it has taken Anthony 18 months to file a police report.

“This is just another veiled attempt to take cheap shots at the RFMF,” she said.

“The delay in investigations is on the part of Anthony because he has been deferring the submission of his statement.”
                
 “Until there is a full investigation into the matter this are simply allegations. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest this incident occurred and therefore, it should be left in the hands of the Fiji police to investigate.”
 
 “It is also, therefore, premature and absolutely mischievous for the media to report on the incident without getting the facts. I expect Radio New Zealand International to issue a correction.”

By Mereani Gonedua