Former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho have pleaded not guilty to charges of inciting to mutiny.
The two took their plea this morning before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad. According to the charge sheet, Count One alleges that Mr Bainimarama, between January 1 and July 31, 2023, sent Viber messages in Suva to Brigadier General Manoa Gadai, attempting to incite him to take over command or overthrow the authority of the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Jone Kalouniwai.
Under Count Two, Mr Bainimarama and Mr Qiliho are jointly charged.
It is alleged that between July 1 and July 31, 2023, the pair spoke to Lieutenant Colonel Atunaisa Vakatale, Colonel Aseri Rokoura, Colonel Viliame Draunibaka, and other senior RFMF officers in Suva, in an attempt to incite them to unlawfully arrest and take over the authority of the RFMF Commander.
The charges were laid under the Criminal Procedure Act and filed as a complaint by a public officer. The case has been adjourned to May 6.
