Speight can receive family visitors

SUVA, AUG. 6. The detained Fiji rebel leader, Mr. George Speight, and key supporters can receive family visitors on their island prison on Sunday as they wait to find out if police will press treason charges against them.

The police are still investigating possible treason charges against Speight and his associates. The offence carries the death penalty, but it has not been carried out since Fiji's independence in 1970.

While Mr. Speight and his 12 associates were remanded to their Nukulau Island prison until Friday, when they can re- apply for bail, their conditions have been improved. They are allowed to receive incoming phone calls and family visitors thrice a week. Police, military and prison officials have been warned not to illtreat or injure them.

There were no reports of unrest following Mr. Speight's court appearance on Saturday, and the military said its crackdown on Fiji's second island of Vanua Levu to mop up remaining pockets of Speight supporters was progressing well. More than 150 people have been arrested, and one rebel shot dead, since the military moved in last Thursday.

The worst-affected areas, Labasa and Dreketi, where there had been violence and attacks on ethnic Indians, are returning to normal with shops and schools reopening.

Mr. Speight and 12 others were refused bail in a Suva court on Saturday. The chief magistrate, Mr. Salesi Temo, said he had considered releasing the men but was worried by an affidavit from the military which said 27 Army weapons stolen by the rebels were still missing.

- Reuters

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Section  : International
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