Situation complicated as Ratu Tevita Mara related to royal family

A Tongan MP said the involvement of the Tongan royal family complicates the issue in relation to fugitive, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara.

Akilisi Pohiva said the situation is complicated because Ratu Tevita Mara is related to the royal family.

Pohiva told Newstalk ZB that he knows that the son of the former Prime Minister Ratu Mara did make a special request to the Tongan Government or the royal family for help.

He said the situation has taken the country by surprise and the people are waiting to see what will happen next.

Meanwhile a minister in the Tongan government said Fiji will have to go through the normal court process and establish its case to win any extradition.

The Minister of Public Enterprises and Revenue, Clive Edwards, said Fiji will have to show there is a case to answer and that Ratu Tevita Mara would receive fair treatment.

Edwards said if the attempt to have him extradited fails, there is no reason why Ratu Tevita can't stay in Tonga if he wants to.

Story by: Vijay Narayan