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Fiji detains 16 alleged plotters Alleged plotters charged in Fiji
(about 9 hours later)
Police in Fiji have arrested 16 people in the past two days, after uncovering an alleged plot against the country's military leader, Frank Bainimarama. Police in Fiji have charged three people with an alleged plot to assassinate the country's military leader, Frank Bainimarama.
Businessmen, politicians and former soldiers were among those detained, and will be charged, police say, on Monday. A total of 16 people have been arrested in connection with the claims, including businessmen and politicians.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said one of those arrested, a New Zealander, had been badly beaten.New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said one of those arrested, a New Zealander, had been badly beaten.
Mr Bainimarama came to power after a bloodless coup in December 2006, but has promised elections in early 2009. Commodore Bainimarama came to power after a bloodless coup in late 2006, but has pledged to hold polls in 2009.
He has pledged to abide by the results.
Fiji has seen four coups in the past two decades.Fiji has seen four coups in the past two decades.
Military helpMilitary help
No concrete details have been given about the alleged plot, but Fiji Police Commissioner Esala Teleni said "several suspects and others are believed to be armed". No concrete details have been given about the alleged plot, but Cmdr Bainimarama blamed it on "disgruntled groups" affected by his anti-corruption drive.
He said more arrests were possible, adding that the police has requested the assistance of the military. "Such people have the potential to go to extremes in undermining the work which the interim government has been mandated to undertake," he said in a statement.
He added that cabinet ministers and military officers were also being targeted by the plotters. Police chief Esala Teleni declined to name the three people who have been charged, but said the alleged offences included treason, inciting mutiny and conspiracy to murder.
He said the police were satisfied they had "successfully blocked any threat to the government, the community and the safety and wellbeing of tourists in this country".
A New Zealand businessman, Ballu Khan, who is based in the Fijian capital, Suva, was among those arrested.A New Zealand businessman, Ballu Khan, who is based in the Fijian capital, Suva, was among those arrested.
He was allegedly so badly beaten that he was unable to talk, and a hospital source quoted by Reuters news agency said he had a broken jaw and ribs. Mr Teleni told journalists that Mr Khan suffered "minor injuries" when he resisted arrest, but other reports suggest he was so badly beaten that he was unable to talk.
New Zealand diplomats had difficulty in obtaining access to Mr Khan. A hospital source quoted by Reuters news agency said he had a broken jaw and ribs.
"They held this man back from proper health care in a hospital for far too long and they beat him when he was in custody. That is disgraceful," said the New Zealand prime minister. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said the way Mr Khan had been dealt with was "disgraceful".
"They held this man back from proper healthcare in a hospital for far too long and they beat him when he was in custody."
Both New Zealand and Australia have dismissed Fiji's suggestion they were involved in some way with the alleged coup plot.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told reporters the allegations were "completely absurd", while Mrs Clark described the claims as "wild statements".