The lawyer for a surgeon detained by police in Fiji says he's yet to see his client.
Dr Jone Hawea, who had worked for the Health Ministry, was taken in for questioning on Tuesday over alleged misinformation on Covid-19.
Police have confirmed they are still questioning him.
Lawyer Aman Ravindra-Singh said police brought Dr Hawea from Lautoka to their HQ in Suva for further interrogation.
Aman Ravindra-Singh. Photo: Supplied/Aman Ravindra-Singh
Under Fiji law, police can detain a suspect for up to 48 hours.
Ravindra-Singh said due to Covid border restrictions, he's unable to travel to the capital to meet his client who's phone is switched off.
"I haven't been able to speak with Dr Hawea and to learn if he's okay. If he needs anything.
Dr Hawea has been denied his right to counsel, his right to remain silent. Everything is being denied," Ravindra-Singh said.
"Where he's going to sleep tonight, I don't know. Has he got adequate bedding, I don't know.
"Police had timed the arrest after curfew, which is from 7pm to 4am. So people like me, defense counsels, can't appear to represent our clients.
"By midnight, police transported my client to their headquarters in Suva. I have denied access to my client even further with the border restrictions as I am in Lautoka."
Dr Jone Hawea. Photo: Supplied
Ravindra-Singh said police have "gone out of their way to ensure that Dr Hawea is denied his rights as an accused person, as an arrested person."
The lawyer said no family has been able to visit Dr Hawea.
"I'm beyond frustration. But this is the norm out here. It's very sad to say but this is how it is.
"Accused persons have their right to silence denied, their right to counsel denied, their right to be before a court of law within 48 hours from the time of their arrest denied.
"Dr Hawea has not been able to have any family members or his legal counsellor present during interviews. These have been denied. There's just a whole raft of things that happen," said.
He said he was informed by his client that police had taken him.
"It is a serious concern that people get to be arrested at night, to be whisked out of their homes amidst this Covid restrictions," Ravindra-Singh said.
"What has happened to safety protocols?
"I am representing Mr Hawea and I have not been able to access him because all of these took place during curfew hours. He has been denied justice and his human rights."
Ravindra-Singh is urging Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho to release Dr Hawea.
