The border alert issued for Tevita Mara, also known as Roko Ului, was to monitor his movements and not for his arrest, says Acting Home Affairs Minister Filimoni Vosarogo.
He said the alert was in relation to a case that was with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP). On May 4, 2011, Mr Mara was charged with one count of seditious intention contrary to Section 67(i)(b) and 66(1)(i) of the Crimes Act 2009.
Without taking leave from court, he left Fiji shortly after and failed to appear to answer to the charge. A nolle prosequi was filed on his case by the ODPP after a returnable date bench warrant could not be executed as he was already out of the country.
Mr Mara reappeared 12 years later, on March 10, during the Turaga Vunivalu na Tui Kaba, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau’s installation.
On March 15, the border alert was issued. Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew, in a media interview last week said the border alert was issued against Mr Mara upon the directive of Director Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Loraini Seru.
“Border alerts are not a new creation for this particular person of interest,” Mr Vosarogo said.
“They have been around since police inception and it is a procedural requirement to ensure that cases that have been pending are resolved with fairness, impartiality and with independence of process especially when persons accused failed to see to the finality of their case.
“The police will do their work according to law. They are competent to do what they are empowered by law to do.” He said border alerts were also placed on other people of interest and they were allowed to move about freely.
“For example, Mr Aiyaz Sayed–Khaiyum was placed on border alert and allowed to pass through immigration and was free to be around until the police decided to question him.
“It is simply a process that notifies the Director CID that the person of interest is in the country, no more no less. It must be made clear that border alerts are issued for monitoring of movement only while the police await further advice from ODPP on the matter. It is not correct to suggest that the border alert is tantamount to an arrest to be made.”
Mr Vosarogo urged the public to be understanding of the law as “it applies to everyone equally, regardless of status”.
“The police docket will be reviewed by the ODPP, and he will consider the sufficiency of evidence and whether it is in the public interest to prosecute, should Roko Ului return to the country.”
Meanwhile, Fiji Police Force chief of intelligence, investigations and prosecutions, ACP Sakeo Raikaci said CID had alerted the ODPP of Mr Mara’s arrival, as per the requirement of the border alert and was waiting for further guidance from them on the matter.
