THE 11 men charged in relation to a plot to assassinate key figures of the military and interim government allegedly approached soldiers, including a major, to help carry out their plans.
This was according to the charges that were read out in court yesterday before Magistrate John Semisi.
But police had not submitted the relevant affidavits to the Director of Public Prosecutions yet.
The charges related to the assassination plot were read to Naitasiri's paramount chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, former Fiji Intelligence Unit head Metuisela Mua, former Land Force Commander Colonel Jone Baledrokadroka, Pacific Connex marketing manager Sivaniolo Naulago, former parliamentarian Peceli Rinakama, and former CRW troopers Barbados Mills and Eparama Waqatairewa, Kaminieli Vosavere and Feoko Gadekibau. They are charged with conspiracy to murder interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, Colonel Samuela Saumatua, Lt-Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho, interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry between August 1 and November 3.
Former CRW soldier Pauliasi Namulo is the 11th suspect that the State laid similar charges against yesterday.
He was presented in court separately yesterday after some confusion earlier in the day over the charges against him.
It is understood that the charges he faces will be amalgamated or added to the charges against the other 10 accused. Besides the five counts of conspiracy to murder, the accused are charged with one count of inciting mutiny. They are alleged to have incited Major Isireli Lewaqai, Peniasi Kuli and others to commit mutiny against Commodore Bainimarama.
The accused, through their respective lawyers, asked for bail but Wilisoni Kurisaqila, who is a senior prosecutor in the DPP's Office, sought more time to obtain affidavits on the case.
An affidavit is a document that contains sworn written statements used as evidence in judicial proceedings. Mr Kurisaqila told the court he needed to assess the affidavits in order to decide their stance in relation to the bail requests.
Mr Semisi allowed Mr Kurisaqila's request and adjourned the case to today, when arguments on whether bail should be granted will be heard.
The court is expected to decide on the issue today.
In the pleadings for bail, Col. Baledrokadroka's lawyer Devanesh Sharma argued that his client deserved to be treated fairly. He said had a business in horticulture to manage in order for him to be able to look after his wife and family and to afford a lawyer.
Mr Sharma said the custodial arrangements in Fiji were not good and it was safer for his client to be bailed than to be in custody. He said Col. Baledrokadroka was willing to adhere to strict bail conditions, even if it meant imposing curfew and surrendering all travel documents.
Ratu Inoke and Mr Rinakama's lawyer Akuila Naco said his clients were respectable members of society.
He said the remand centres were congested and it was better for his clients to be allowed bail.
Mr Naco said his clients were not serial offenders and had a good reputation while being good examples within their own communities.
Director Legal Aid Filimoni Vosarogo argued that no evidence had been submitted to the court as affidavits were yet to be served.
He said this was sufficient grounds of why his six clients should be allowed bail.
He also pointed out that his clients had been in police custody for more than 48 hours.
Mr Mua's lawyer Tevita Mua said the court should allow Mr Mua to continue to earn a living instead of wasting his time in custody based on allegations.
Mr Naulago's lawyer Peniana Salele said her client had projected deals that involved employment opportunities that the country badly needed considering the political climate.
She said her client was wasting time in prison especially as the charges were simply based on allegations.
Millionaire Ballu Khan was the first person to be arrested on Saturday followed by the arrest of Ratu Inoke.
The joint police and military operation arrested more people on Sunday.