Recent events in Ra and Nadroga which have resulted in the subsequent charging of seventy people for sedition and related offenses indicate there are influential people behind the move.

Defence Minister Timoci Natuva made the statement while delivering his ministerial address in Parliament yesterday.

Natuva says the allegation of military style training is correct and the Fiji Police Force is gathering more information to provide to the Court for more charges to be laid.

“Given Fiji’s history in such incidences and significant number of the individuals involved there is a reason to believe that there are more influential people behind these moves to create an illegal independent state and further racial antagonism is being miss-used to promote these ideologies.”

Natuva says because of the alleged involvement of weaponry arms during the training the Military is now involved in the investigation… with the Police Force taking the lead role.

The Minister also lashed out at the National Federation Party for keeping silent on the sedition matters before the Court – when they have time and again spoken out against the coup culture.

In response Opposition MP and NFP President Tupou Draunidalo says the NFP does not make any statement in this regard so far as the matter is before Court of Law.

She says the NFP has and will always speak against the unlawful overthrow of an elected government.

Opposition MP Viliame Gavoka brought up the issue of armed military personnel in Tavua yesterday saying Fiji’s democracy is young and a wrong message should not be sent to the outside world.

All 70 accused charged in relation to seditious activities have been remanded in custody.