Pacific

Fiji treason trial shown video footage

05:35 am on 28 November 2002

The high court hearing the treason trial of Fiji coup accomplices Timci Silatolu and Josefa Nata has been shown video tapes of their role in the overthrow of the Labour coalition government.

Fiji TV staff including their then news editor, Richard Broadbridge, appeared in the court to verify the tapes.

A tape of the first news conference after the coup showed Silatolu named as interim prime minister.

Tapes from a second day showed the coup front man, George Speight, sworn in as prime minister while Silatolu was named as his deputy.

The tape showed the second accused, Nata, administering the swearing in of Speight's failed administration in which the current deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure, was named as attorney general.

It also showed the current minister for sport, Isireli Leweniqila, being sworn in as the tourism minister.

The current vice president of Fiji, Ratu Jope Seniloli, is shown being sworn in as president.

The treason trial will continue today with the deposed prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, being the main witness.