The Tongan government is still not confirming whether Tongan navy vessel, Savea entered the Fiji waters and picked up former 3FIR Commanding Officer, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.
Fijivillage News questioned the Special Adviser to the Tongan Prime Minister, Ahongalu Fusimalohi on why Tonga is saying that its navy picked up Ratu Tevita from Southern Ono-i-Lau when Fiji's preliminary investigations state that he was illegally extracted from the Fiji waters, 1 nautical mile Northwest of Cape Washington in Kadavu.
Fusimalohi now said the Economic Exclusive Zones of Fiji and Tonga overlaps each other.
He said naval vessel had to answer to the distress call.
Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara has a case to answer in the Fiji courts.
Solicitor General Christopher Pryde said Ratu Tevita can be confident he will receive a fair hearing.
Pryde said from time to time, different people including the overseas media make claims that the judiciary is being influenced by Government thus creating a perception that the courts in Fiji are being interfered with.
Meanwhile, the application for the extradition of Ratu Tevita Mara from Tonga to Fiji was yesterday sent by Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum to Tonga's Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano.
The Tongan government is expected to comment on it today.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
No confirmation yet from Tongan Govt
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