Lawyers for The Fiji Times are still negotiating with the Immigration officials to ensure that Fiji Times Publisher, Evan Hannah is not deported to Australia.
It was confirmed that The Fiji Times lawyers have managed to get a Court Order for the immigration and police officials to produce Hannah in court at 3pm today. The order was given by Justice Filimoni Jitoko.
Our reporter, Gulsher Ali has reported that the lawyer has already served the court order to an immigration official in Nadi.
Ali has more from Nadi.
Interim Defense and Immigration Minister, Ratu Epeli Ganilau will comment on the issue later this morning. Immigration Director, Commander Viliame Naupoto, is also expected to comment later this morning.
Meanwhile, police say they are unaware of the reasons Fiji Times Publisher Evan Hannah was taken in last night.
Spokesperson, Ema Mua told FijiVillage this morning that details were still sketchy on whether police officers were involved in taking Hannah to Nadi.
And the Fiji Media Council Chairman Daryl Tarte said he is appalled by Evan Hannah's detention.
Tarte said they had called an emergency meeting this morning and a statement will be made afterwards.
Citizen Constitutional Forum Executive Director Reverend Akuila Yabaki said the public need to know what is going on. He was referring to the incident of Evan Hannah being taken from his home last night to Nadi and his possible deportation.
Yabaki said, by the look of things, media freedom is not in place in Fiji.
FijiVillage sources confirmed that Hannah was to fly out on flight number, FJ911 scheduled to depart at 9am.
Fiji Times Editor, Netani Rika confirmed to FijiVillage late last night that a group of police and immigration officers visited Hannah's home at about 7 o'clock last night.
The officers then told him that they had a deportation order for him and they have to take him to Nadi. Hannah left with the officers and when he was last contacted, he confirmed that he was on his way to Nadi. He could not make any further comments.
We contacted Netani Rika again this morning and he only said that they are pursuing legal action.
Fiji Times Publisher Arrested
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