Newspaper executive Mesake Koroi hauled away by soldiers

The general manager of the Fiji Daily Post newspaper, Mesake Koroi, was arrested by soldiers today and taken to Queen Elizabeth Barracks (QEB).

Intelligentsiya understands Koroi was taken by soldiers this morning over a particular letter to the editor that was published. It could probably have been over a letter from a Fijian in Australia (titled 'Defunct Police Force') criticising acting Police Commissioner Romanu Tikotikoca for shelving the investigation into army commander Voreqe Bainimarama in connection with his seditious remarks last year.

It is also understood this was the third time this week that he was taken to QEB.

Fiji Television quoted army Land Force Commander Colonel Pita Driti as saying Koroi was detained because of the newspaper’s “failure to adhere to the military’s warnings over what it describes as inciteful statements”.

Koroi is a cousin of deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and the newspaper has been the target of several military threats since the December 5, 2006 coup.

By late evening, Koroi had still not been released and Fiji TV quoted Driti as saying he could not say when that would happen.

The government of Fiji holds shares in the company but interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has announced that the interim administration would sell off the state's shares in the newspaper because the newspaper had never made a profit.