Former Fijian military leader Frank Bainimarama is currently in custody as he faces serious charges of inciting military personnel to destabilize a newly elected government in 2022. Alongside him is former Police Commissioner Brigadier Sitiveni Qiliho, who has been associated with suppressing opposition during Bainimarama’s long tenure from 2006 to 2022.
The investigation revolves around allegations that Bainimarama attempted to persuade the army to intervene in governance during a period when he lacked a legitimate mandate following the 2022 elections. Both men were taken into custody at their residences on Wednesday and subsequently questioned at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters in Suva, the capital of Fiji. Earlier that day, Bainimarama had been seen attending Ash Wednesday mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Details surrounding the arrests remain scarce, as authorities have not disclosed much information, and representatives for both Bainimarama and Qiliho have directed inquiries to police. It is anticipated that they will appear in court later today.
Bainimarama is notable for having orchestrated a coup against then-Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase in December 2006, effectively exercising control over Fiji for over a decade through a regime marked by censorship, heavy-handed military operations, arbitrary detentions, and widespread allegations of corruption. Both Bainimarama and Qiliho have previously been convicted on corruption charges.
After a night in holding cells at the Central Police Station, the unfolding events mark a significant moment in Fiji’s political landscape, as the country grapples with its past under Bainimarama’s rule while seeking a path towards a more democratic governance.
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