Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu has raised serious concerns over the detention of Charlie Charters, questioning the legality of the actions taken and warning of broader implications for citizens’ rights.
In a statement, Seruiratu said the law is clear on who has the authority to stop a citizen at the border or take a person into custody.
“Only a court, the Police, or Immigration acting on a lawful Police request can do so,” he said.
“FICAC has no independent authority to block travel, no power to detain a person, and no mandate to transport anyone.”
He said the public was left unsettled by the lack of clarity surrounding Charters’ detention.
“Yet a citizen was stopped, moved, and held without a single clear explanation. When the law is this clear and the conduct is this unclear, the people begin to wonder what is being hidden from them,” Seruiratu said.
The Opposition Leader said what troubled him most was the silence from key institutions.
“The Police have not explained their role. FICAC has not clarified its authority. Immigration has not said who instructed them,” he said. “When institutions that serve the people fall silent at the same time, it creates the impression that someone is managing the story rather than respecting the law.”
Seruiratu warned that such situations erode public trust.
“Trust does not collapse loudly. It collapses quietly, when those in power believe the people will not notice. But the people always notice,” he said.
He called on the Government to put citizens first by explaining who authorised the detention, who carried it out, and whether the law was followed at every step, warning that failure to do so would further weaken public confidence in the administration.
