Rabuka seeks legal advice over PM Bainimarama’s attack

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SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka. Picture: FT FILE

Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leader and Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka is contemplating legal action against Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama for comments made against him.

Mr Rabuka was responding to Mr Bainimarama’s statement during the commemorative service last week to remember the lives of soldiers killed during the 2000 mutiny at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua, Suva where the PM called Mr Rabuka a ‘snake’.

Mr Bainimarama said those who inflicted the mutiny and the 2000 coup were still around, saying some were also members of Parliament for the Opposition.

He added Mr Rabuka should not be forgotten for trying to take over the position of commander in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in 2000.

He said soldiers who died in the struggle should not die in vain.

Responding to these statements, Mr Rabuka called on Mr Bainimarama to refrain from gratuitous, partisan, political attacks and fear-mongering on the 20th anniversary of the tragic mutiny of November 2, 2000.

“I have also sought legal advice, and reserve my right for judicial redress of possibly defamatory utterances by the PM,” said Mr Rabuka.

“The loss of life and the fact of the mutiny itself is a great tragedy for the RFMF and for Fiji, in particular, the families of all the soldiers killed in May and November 2000 when the PM was military commander.

“I have fronted the court, and have been cleared of charges relating to the 2000 mutiny.

“It is unfortunate that the PM continues to dwell on something that has been addressed by the judiciary, and the case is now closed by the Appeal Court’s dismissal of the prosecution’s appeal against my acquittal.”

He said Fijians needed to focus their attention on healing wounds rather than inflicting more damage which further divided the nation.

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