Frank Bainimarama Photo: AFP / William West
Fiji's top prosecutor has sanctioned charges of abuse of office against former prime minister Frank Bainimarama and the suspended commissioner of police Sitiveni Qiliho.
In a statement on Thursday, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution said the charges relate to a complaint filed by the University of the South Pacific in July 2019.
The complaint was concerning the actions of former staff members of the regional university.
Public Prosecution director Christopher Pryde said both men were alleged to have arbitrarily abused their powers and stopped an active police investigation.
Police have been ordered to further investigate other issues as a result of Bainimarama and Qiliho's alleged interference and more charges are expected to be laid.
Meanwhile, both men were taken in for further questioning by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Thursday.
The CID chief and assistant commissioner of police Sakeo Raikaci is expected to hold a press conference at 8pm local time, according to reports by Fijian media.
Former PM Bainimarama and suspended Commissioner of Police Qiliho are again being questioned by Police pic.twitter.com/YT3OFyaHNq
— Stanley Ian Simpson (@stansimpsonfj) March 9, 2023
RNZ Pacific has contacted Fiji Police for comment.
