Lawyer claims FICAC 'misused powers'

The lawyer for former Fiji jour­nalist and Fiji Rugby execu­tive, Charlie Charters alleges that the Fiji Independent Commis­sion Against Corruption (FICAC) has continuously attempted to co­erce his client into revealing a con­fidential source.

In a statement released yesterday, his lawyer Seforan Fatiaki claimed FICAC misused its powers in the way it pursued and proposed to charge his client.

Mr Charters were scheduled to complete two caution interviews yesterday. However, at about 8pm, FICAC confirmed the interview would continue today before any charge is laid.

Questioning the basis of a potential charge, Mr Fatiaki said: "How could FICAC formulate a charge against Charters for 'aiding and abetting' when it does not even know who he is suspected of aiding and abetting?"

He further alleged that Mr Char­ters had not been arrested for the purpose of a bona fide investigation.

"He has been arrested, and pre­vented from leaving Fiji as a means of coercing him to give information to FICAC about another investiga­tion," Mr Fatiaki said.

He claimed that during the morn­ing interview, a FICAC investiga­tor, Mosese Matanisiga, asked Mr Charters three times to disclose his source of information in exchange for his release.

"FICAC cannot use its powers of detention and arrest to pressure him into giving it," Mr Fatiaki said.

"From what has already been said to Charters, in front of witnesses, that is FICAC's clear purpose in ex­ercising its powers of arrest and de­parture prohibition.

"Charters has maintained his si­lence throughout the interrogation and FICAC has been advised of the same."