Frank Bainimarama, the former military leader of Fiji, is currently in custody facing serious allegations related to attempts to incite a military coup against the newly elected government following the 2022 elections. Accompanying him is former Police Commissioner Brigadier Sitiveni Qiliho, who played a crucial role in suppressing dissent during Bainimarama’s authoritarian regime from 2006 to 2022.
Both men were apprehended from their homes around midday and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department in Suva for questioning. Investigators are scrutinizing their potential roles in efforts to persuade the military to take political action amid Bainimarama’s absence of a legitimate mandate to govern after the elections.
Earlier in the day, Bainimarama attended an Ash Wednesday mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, highlighting the stark contrast in his situation from a once-powerful leader to being under investigation. While details of their arrest remain sparse, both Bainimarama and Qiliho’s legal teams have declined to provide comments, referring inquiries back to the police.
Expected to appear in court tomorrow, Bainimarama is notably remembered for orchestrating a coup against then-Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase in December 2006 and for ruling with a heavy hand, instituting strict censorship and military crackdowns against opposition forces. Both individuals also have a history of prior corruption convictions, and they will spend the night in custody at the Central Police Station as the legal processes unfold.
This significant moment in Fijian politics represents an important step toward addressing past abuses of power while reinforcing a commitment to democratic governance. Citizens and the international community are closely monitoring the situation, hopeful for accountability and a renewed focus on justice in Fiji’s political landscape.