Richard Naidu Questions Charters Arrest

Prominent lawyer and human rights activist Richard Naidu has questioned the legal basis for the detention of Fijian national Charlie Charters, who was stopped by authorities today and is reportedly being transported to Suva.

Charters was earlier held at Nadi International Airport after a Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) flag was placed on his file.

Naidu questioned what offence would justify Charters’ detention under the FICAC Act. He noted that the FICAC Commissioner has powers to stop the departure of a person being investigated in respect of an offence to which the Act applies.

However, Naidu argued that provisions relating to the unlawful disclosure of information under section 13G of the FICAC Act apply to FICAC officers or staff who release official information without authorisation, not individuals who merely receive such information.

We await a statement from FICAC on the matter.