Fiji police have confirmed the arrest of a former surgeon with the Ministry of Health.
Dr Jone Hawea. Photo: Supplied
Dr Jone Hawea was taken in for police interrogation in Lautoka west of the capital Suva tonight over alleged misinformation about Covid-19.
He has been critical of the government's Covid response since the latest outbreak began in April.
Several senior political figures and human rights advocates were detained by police last month for criticising the government's strategy to address the pandemic and their rejection of the controversial iTaukei Land Act.
"We confirm the arrest of Dr Hawea by our officers," police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said.
"He is currently being questioned at the CID Headquarters."
But Dr Hawea's lawyer has condemned the arrest saying his client was taken forcibly from his home in Lautoka.
Aman Ravindra-Singh said he could not get access to his client because the arrest was made during curfew which started at 7pm tonight and ends at 4am tomorrow.
Ravindra-Singh now has to apply for a permit to travel during the restriction which he said would not be addressed by police until the morning.
He said he was informed by his client that police had taken him.
"It is a serious concern that people get to be arrested at night, to be whisked out of their homes amidst this Covid restrictions," Ravindra-Singh said.
"What has happened to safety protocols?
"I am representing Mr Hawea and I have not been able to access him because all of these took place during curfew hours.
"He has been denied justice and his human rights."
Fiji now has 18,916 active cases in isolation and the death toll is at 453, with 451 of them from the April outbreak.