SUVA (AFP) — Ten men accused of plotting to kill Fiji's coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama and other senior regime figures were ordered to remain behind bars after appearing in court here Wednesday.
The ten applied for bail after charges of conspiring to commit murder and incitement to mutiny were read out in the court.
Defence lawyer, Filimoni Vosarogo, said the accused should be released on bail because the prosecution had failed to produce any evidence.
"In order to properly rebut the men?s right to apply for bail, prosecution must provide the evidential burden," Vosarogo told the court.
"Prosecution I submit has been unable to satisfy this court with that evidential burden."
But magistrate John Semisi said he would adjourn the case for a day to allow the prosecution to respond.
Charges of treason were dropped Tuesday against the 10 suspects, who include former politicians and military officers.
Among them were members of the now disbanded counter revolutionary warfare unit implicated in a failed military mutiny against military chief Bainimarama in 2000.
The court was told the 10 conspired to kill Bainimarama, his deputy in the army Colonel Samuela Saumatua, senior officer Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho, Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and Attorney General Aihaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
They are also accused of attempting between August and November this year to persuade an army major and corporal to start a military mutiny.
The 10 are among at least 16 arrested since the weekend in the alleged plot to kill Bainimarama, who led a bloodless coup in December against prime minister Laisenia Qarase's elected government.
Among the accused are high chief, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, who was imprisoned for life in 2004 for inciting the 2000 mutiny, although the conviction was quashed this year pending a retrial.
They also include former leading military officer, Colonel Jone Baledrokadroka, who Bainimarama sacked for insubordination last year, former intelligence services director, Metuisela Mua, and politician, Peceli Rinakama.
Six former officers from the counter revolutionary warfare unit have also been charged, although one is yet to come before the court.
New Zealand citizen Sivaniolo Naulaga, who Prime Minister Helen Clark said Tuesday had been mistreated after his arrest, was also among the accused.
Naulaga works for another New Zealand citizen, businessman Ballu Khan, who was hospitalised after being badly beaten during his arrest but is yet to be charged.
Bainimarama said Tuesday if the assassination plot had succeeded, the Pacific island nation of 900,000 would have been plunged into bloodshed and unrest.
He also denied the regime had tried to implicate outspoken coup critics Australia and New Zealand in the plot.
On Sunday police chief and former military second in command Esala Teleni said non-governmental organisations funded by neighbouring countries were involved in the conspiracy.
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