The Australian High Commission in Fiji says that media reporting about the Australian Government’s involvement in the Aiden Alec Hurtado’s drug trial misrepresents the assistance provided by the Australian Government.
In a statement, the High Commission says the Australian Government, including officials in the Australian High Commission, has been assisting the prosecutor in the provision of evidence in the trial.
The Australian High Commission says due to the relevant laws and procedures relating to diplomats and their status in Fiji, officials of the Australian High Commission were not able to give testimony in the proceedings on 8th June but did explore with the Director of Public Prosecutions alternative means of assistance.
It says that Australian Federal Police officer Richard Briggs is a diplomatically accredited officer of the Australian High Commission in Suva.
The High Commission says that suggestions of contempt of court by the Australian High Commissioner misrepresent the role and official status of Australian diplomats in Fiji.
They have referred us to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further details on the status of diplomats in Fiji and their capacity to engage in the jurisdiction of the Fijian courts.
