The Attorney General’s Office has yet to receive a direct formal response from the Tongan Government in relation to the extradition request of fugitive Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.

Attorney General and Minister for Justice Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had confirmed yesterday that a diplomatic note had been received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Tongan Government stating that the laws of Tonga do not permit their Government to comply with Fiji’s extradition request.

However, Sayed-Khaiyum said that since it was a request made by the Office of the Attorney-General, courtesy would demand that a formal response is sent to the Attorney-General rather than a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He added the diplomatic note gave no reasons for refusing to comply with Fiji’s extradition application but only stated that Tongan law does not permit compliance.

Fiji is also yet to receive any formal notification from Australia or New Zealand in response to extradition applications that were filed in both those countries last week.


Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa