The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has released a report indicating that Fiji’s former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and his police commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho, were briefed about a businessperson in Fiji suspected of having criminal associations.
OCCRP is recognized as one of the most prominent investigative journalism organizations globally. According to their report, a 2020 briefing from the Fiji police outlines how this business figure was suspected of leading a local organized crime group linked to members of Fiji’s ethnic Chinese community.
The report highlights that multiple police sources indicated that Bainimarama and Qiliho did not take any significant action following these briefings and maintained a favorable public relationship with the individual in question. Frank Bainimarama, who was earlier convicted on unrelated charges this year, reportedly received this police briefing in 2020, as confirmed by three police officers with direct knowledge of the situation. Additionally, it’s noted that Qiliho was privy to the same information.
This report raises concerns about accountability and transparency within Fiji’s leadership, particularly in how they responded to serious allegations related to organized crime. The investigation by OCCRP shines a light on critical issues of governance and corruption that are essential for public awareness.
Despite the serious nature of the findings, this situation underscores the importance of investigative journalism in promoting accountability among public figures. As the work of organizations like OCCRP continues to unveil such critical information, it offers hope for the strengthening of democratic processes and ethical governance in the region.
In summary, the report reveals a troubling lack of action from notable leaders in response to serious allegations, emphasizing the need for vigilance in government accountability.
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