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11 held in plot to kill Fiji Prime Minister

Frank Bainimarama

Suva (Fiji): Fijian police arrested 11 persons over an alleged plot by dissident army members to assassinate the country’s military leader and Prime Minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, and some members of his Cabinet, a senior official said today.

The 11 were in custody at the central police station in the capital, Suva, said Fiji’s police commissioner, Capt. Esala Teleni. “We have rounded up individuals in the alleged plot in the assassination of the Prime Minister and others,” he told reporters.

Capt. Teleni said the alleged plotters included prominent members of political parties who want to “bring about instability and conduct insurgent activities in Fiji.”

“The plot is said to be well-planned, rehearsed and possibly numerous training [sessions] have been conducted by individuals. The real threat of the use of arms and explosives was imminent,” he said.

Fijian authorities said they expected to make further arrests over the next few days as investigations continued.

Local news reports said he was beaten by police after being taken into custody, but Capt. Teleni declined to comment on the allegations.

Mr. Teleni said the police had been monitoring the movements of members of the disbanded Counter-Revolutionary Warfare Unit, as well as business leaders, traditional high chiefs and members of political parties.

Initial media reports had suggested President Ratu Josefa Iloilo was the target but Mr. Teleni did not confirm this.

Of those arrested, only millionaire IT company executive Ballu Khan and High Chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata have been identified.

High Chief Takiveikata is patron of the party of former prime minister Laisenia Qarase, who was ousted in a bloodless coup led by Bainimarama last December. — AP

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