The military's Land Forces Commander, Brigadier Pita Driti, said the former soldiers convicted of plotting to kill Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama were a group that had stood apart for some time.

5 of the 8 men convicted last week were members of the CRW Unit.

During sentencing in the High Court, Justice Paul Madigan said the unit troops had received physical and tactical training, but their social and cultural skills were neglected.

Brigadier Driti said there were always questions over the group's loyalties since the events of 2000.