Fiji Times Online

Fiji Time: 7:11 AM on Wednesday 10 February

/ Front page / News

Armed men trash democracy shrine

Monday, December 11, 2006

A group of armed men are alleged to have broken into a democracy shrine, on Saturday night before tearing down banners and damaging the property.

The democracy shrine was set up in a house in Lami on the outskirts of Suva last week by people opposed to the takeover of the elected Government by the military.

The concerned pro-democracy youth group claimed the military was behind the attack, because witnesses saw about seven armed men in civilian clothes carrying guns.

They used wire cutters to enter the yard after what witnesses claimed that they arrived in a twin cab vehicle and parked near the property for some time before the attack.

Nothing was stolen, though the person who was at the property had reportedly been traumatised by the incident, which occurred at about 10pm and witnessed by neighbours, passersby and a security guard, whose statements have been taken by police.

Property owner Laisa Digitaki, said the Young People Concerned Network would not be intimidated by the incident and would continue to protest peacefully from the building.

"We have been continuously threatened to dismantle our democracy shrine by this illegal regime. Witnesses' statement to the break-in clearly suggest that these cowards are from the military camp," said Ms Digitaki.

"But this unfortunate act of violence by the army will not deter us from raising new protest banners today," she said.

The attackers had taken down banners proclaiming Yes to Democracy No To Guns' but left the Fiji flags untouched.

Broken glasses littered the exterior of the building and the Sky Dish was also damaged. Total damage had not been estimated yet.

Ms Digitaki branded Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and his illegal regime' as "terrorists".

"We now have a very dangerous situation where the Commodore, who had given his public assurance to protect our Fiji populace with his guns, have turned around and done exact opposite by terrorising our innocent citizens in the privacy of their own homes with his guns," she said.

The Lami police confirmed receiving a report on Saturday night and were investigating the matter.

Military spokesman, Major Neumi Leweni said the military was in the dark about the incident.

"We don't know anything about it and if a report has been filed with police then we will just have to wait on the results of the investigations," Captain Leweni said.

End of story

MyFijiGuide.com - places to stay and eat, things to do in Fiji

Today's Most Read Stories

  1. Don't ask for rations
  2. Eta's brave leap
  3. Osea's star rises in NZ
  4. ‘Follow the right channel'
  5. Tourists a blessing for Waya school
  6. Girls beaten for wearing shorts
  7. Price of rods stay the same
  8. Hope for shipbuilding
  9. Danny Costello passes on
  10. Ex-miners go abroad

ANZ Foreign Exchange Rates

ANZ currency conversion rates.

Currency Buy Rate Sell Rate
GBP3-week history 0.32860.3206
CAD3-week history 0.55370.5317
AUD3-week history 0.59610.5711
EUR3-week history 0.37680.3648
JPY3-week history 46.730043.7300
NZD3-week history 0.75410.7211
USD3-week history 0.51560.4986

from

$00.00

Top Stories this Week

  1. Lover slain Friday (05 Feb)
  2. Actress just loves Fiji's relaxing pace Thursday (04 Feb)
  3. Keep your cool, police warn Friday (05 Feb)
  4. Gold find Tuesday (09 Feb)
  5. Chief spy tells of plan to replace commander Friday (05 Feb)
  6. Act of bravery Tuesday (09 Feb)
  7. Missing Lata returns home Tuesday (09 Feb)
  8. Nine in custody Monday (08 Feb)
  9. Visa agent took cash: Witnesses Tuesday (09 Feb)
  10. Koli at rover Thursday (04 Feb)

Photo Galleries

Picture of the DayAthletes from Mulomulo High

Visit our galleries for the best of the week's news and sport pictures.