Former Fiji Prime Minister Bainimarama and Suspended Police Charged

Fiji’s top prosecutor has pleaded guilty to abuse of power charges against former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner Sitibni Kiriho.

In a statement Thursday, the Attorney General’s Office said the indictment relates to a complaint filed by the University of the South Pacific in July 2019.

The complaint concerned the behavior of a former employee of a local university.

Prosecutor General Christopher Pryde said the two were suspected of arbitrarily abusing their power to stop an active police investigation.

Police have been ordered to further investigate other matters as a result of Bainimarama and Kiriho’s alleged interference, and more charges are expected.

Meanwhile, both men were taken in for further questioning by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Thursday.

Police CID Chief and Assistant Commissioner Sakeo Raikachi will hold a press conference at 8pm local time, according to Fiji media reports.

RNZ Pacific has reached out to Fiji Police for comment.