Treat complaint seriously: PCPI
12-Sep-2008 08:09 AM

The Pacific Centre for Public Integrity (PCPI) has reiterated its call for police to seriously investigate the treason complaints against members of the interim administration and Police Commissioner Esala Teleni.

The non-government organisations campaigner, Peter Waqavonovono said yesterday that Teleni’s call on the complainants not to cause instability was “a slap in the face of the justice system and is a violation of the rights of citizens.”

Waqavonovono added that comments made by the interim Attorney-General that investigation into the treason complaints against members of the interim Government could interfere with the pending court case of Qarase vs. Bainimarama was “legally incorrect, and a blatant attempt to subvert justice.”

“In 2000, the Chandrika Prasad Constitutional Redress Case was allowed to continue whilst the Speight treason trial was underway. This is nothing short than bigotry and an act of selective justice,” Waqavonovono said.

“I remind the Fiji Police Force and its current Commissioner of their very motto which is “salus populi” which directly translates to serve the people. The complainants are citizens of this country they have a legal right to have their complaints investigated,” he said.

PCPI stated that it was concerned that “selective justice” was being applied .

“Police was fast to respond to complaints of treason laid against Ballu Khan and others, but when one of their own is under the spotlight and the same allegation is laid against the interim Government, they have decided to throw the allegations out,” Waqavonovono said.

“This hypocrisy and double standards will further hurt and tarnish the image of the police forces that it is seen to be led by one of the main figures behind 2006 coup,” he added.

PCPI has urged Teleni to allow the investigations to go ahead “in the interest of transparency and justice.”