Urai appears in court, remanded in custody

Fiji Trades Union Congress president Daniel Urai, who has been charged with urging political violence and inciting antagonism against the Fiji Government, has been remanded in custody by the Suva Magistrates Court.

Urai appeared before Magistrate Thusara Rajasinghe earlier this afternoon however his bail ruling will be delivered on Wednesday.

It is alleged that between August 01st to October 29th this year, Urai intentionally lured Taniela and Elenoa Ligairi and others to overthrow the government.

His lawyer Navinesh Nand asked in court today if the charges could be read and explained to Urai as he does not have a copy of the charge.

Nand requested for bail as he said Urai has a right to bail under the Crimes Decree.

He also said that Urai left the country and came back upon the order of the court in relation to his unlawful assembly case.

However, state lawyer Ilisapeci Whippy strongly objected to bail due to the nature of the offence as under the Crimes Decree, it comes under the charge of treason.

Whippy said one of the conditions for Urai’s bail in the unlawful assembly case was that he should not reoffend while on bail.

She said Urai has breached the bail condition.
 
The DPP lawyer said it is in the public interest to remand Daniel Urai and if he is bailed, she said it is likely that he can encourage violence.

Whippy also said Urai showed a lack of respect in allegedly trying to overthrow the government.
 
Urai will reappear in court on Wednesday for the bail ruling.

Meanwhile, general secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress Felix Anthony was taken in for questioning in relation to similar investigations last Friday.

Assistant Police Commissioner Henry Brown said Anthony is still being questioned.

ACP Brown had earlier said that more people are expected to be taken in for questioning in relation to this ongoing investigation.


Story by: Vijay Narayan & Tokasa Rainima