Lawyer Seforan Fatiaki has raised serious concerns regarding the recent arrest and detention of citizen publisher Charlie Charters by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). According to Fatiaki, the motives behind Charters’ arrest appear to be less about a legitimate criminal investigation and more focused on coercing him to provide information.
In a formal submission made to FICAC, Fatiaki disclosed that Charters has been informed of his suspicion regarding aiding and abetting a FICAC officer in the unlawful disclosure of official information. However, it has been noted that FICAC has yet to identify the officer involved, raising questions about the legitimacy of the claims.
Fatiaki further alleged that senior FICAC investigator Mosese Matanisiga made attempts to persuade Charters to reveal his information source, offering that he would be released without further investigation if he complied. “It was made clear that Mr. Charters’ arrest and detention were carried out for the sole purpose of extracting that information from him,” Fatiaki stated, underscoring the ethical issues involved.
An alarming aspect of this situation is Fatiaki’s assertion that FICAC’s actions reflect an interest in obtaining Charters as a source rather than treating him as a proper suspect. He emphasized that if Charters chooses not to share any information, FICAC should not resort to methods that involve detention and arrest to pressure him into compliance. Fatiaki described this behavior as a gross misuse of FICAC’s statutory powers, highlighting the potential undermining of due process and the rule of law.
This case sheds light on the delicate balance between investigative authority and individual rights, raising broader implications for governance and integrity within Fiji’s legal framework. With ongoing discussions about accountability and transparency, the hope remains that justice and ethical practices will guide the resolution of this matter.