Former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho have been formally charged in the Suva Magistrates Court with inciting mutiny, contrary to Section 72(1)(b) of the Crimes Act 2009.
According to the charge sheet, Count One alleges that 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, Bainimarama and 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.
Both accused were each granted $5,000 non-cash bail, and the matter has been adjourned to March 5 for further proceedings.
