Leader of Opposition, Inia Seruiratu says the detention of Charlie Charters has raised a serious concern for the people of Fiji.
Seruiratu says the law is clear about who can stop a citizen at the border and who can take a person into custody.
He says only a court, the Police, or Immigration acting on a lawful Police request can do so.
Seruiratu says FICAC has no independent authority to block travel, no power to detain a person, and no mandate to transport anyone.
He says yet a citizen was stopped, moved, and held without a single clear explanation.
The Opposition Leader says when the law is this clear and the conduct is this unclear, the people begin to wonder what is being hidden from them.
He says what troubles him most is the silence.
Seruiratu says the Police have not explained their role and FICAC has not clarified its authority.
He says when institutions that serve the people fall silent at the same time, it creates the impression that someone is managing the story rather than respecting the law.
Seruiratu says trust does not collapse loudly, it collapses quietly, when those in power believe the people will not notice but the people always notice.
He stresses this is why we must put the people first.
Seruiratu says if a person can be stopped without a court order, moved without Police authority, and held without a lawful basis, then every citizen is at risk.
He stresses the Government must explain who issued the order, who carried out the detention, and whether the law was followed at every step.
When contacted by fijivillage News, Acting Attorney General, Siromi Turaga refused to comment.
Vijay N
