DPP expected to file extradition papers for fugitive Mara

The Director of Public Prosecutions is expected to file the extradition papers today in relation to former 3FIR Commanding Officer, Lt Colonel Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara fleeing to Tonga on the 9th of this month.

The extradition application papers are expected to be filed to the government of Tonga.

The procedure then involves the Tongan government referring the matter to the Tonga courts to start the process of extraditing Ratu Tevita Mara who is facing sedition charges in the Fiji courts.

The Tongan government has not made any statements since the issue came to light and after Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama made the statement revealing details of how Ratu Tevita Mara was taken out of the country in Tongan Navy vessel, Savea.

The only information that has been reported in the Tongan media is a comment from Tonga's Lord Privy Seal, Va'inga Tone who said that Tonga's patrol boat was "attracted to a distress signal" south of Ono-i-Lau, 365 kilometres west of Nuku'alofa.

He said that the rescued passenger was taken to Nuku'alofa where arrangements have been made for his accommodation by the Royal Household Office due to his rank.

It was also revealed that Tonga's King George Tupou, travelling in central Europe was "fully informed of events by the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal."
 
Commodore Bainimarama said preliminary investigations show that the Tongan Navy's claims of answering to a search and rescue call out at sea is misleading as Ratu Tevita Mara was illegally extracted from the Fiji waters, one nautical mile Northwest of Cape Washington in Kadavu.

Following these international breaches, Commodore Bainimarama called on the Tongan royal family and the authorities to make the right decision now as Ratu Tevita has been declared a fugitive.


Story by: Vijay Narayan