nosferatu_dj
16-07-2009, 12:21 AM
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/5729272/fiji-pm-pardons-aussie-masons-after-raid/
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/fiji-pm-pardons-aussie-masons-after-raid-20090716-dluc.html
Fiji PM pardons Aussie Masons after raid
July 16, 2009 - 7:36AM
Eight Australians spent a night in a Fiji prison cell after police, alerted by frightened residents suspecting sorcery, raided their Freemasons meeting.
The Australians were among 14 people arrested and then released in Fiji on charges of sorcery after conducting a meeting of the Freemasons society, The Canberra Times reported on Thursday.
It is understood Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama granted the men an official pardon after the group contacted the Fiji Attorney-General's office, the paper said.
The group was held at Nasudi police station for 24 hours after their arrest at Denarau Island on Tuesday night until they received news of the top-level intervention.
"An officer came in and said, 'We have been ordered by the prime minister's department to release you, however, the matter will still remain under investigation', and the prime minster himself is coming to the office later in the day to review the evidence," a member of the group, who didn't want to be named, said.
It is understood locals contacted police after becoming concerned about the group's unusual equipment, which is believed to have included a sword, mace and Bible, The Canberra Times said.
A New Zealand man, who was also among the group, blamed "dopey village people" for the raid on Tuesday, NZPA reported.
A spokesman for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed 14 people, including the eight Australians, were detained for convening a Masonic meeting without the right permit.
"They have since been released and we understand police are still investigating. Charges have not yet been laid," the spokesman said.
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation with a membership of five million worldwide.
The Masonic Lodge conducts monthly meetings at two lodges in Fiji, in Suva and Nandi.
© 2009 AAP http://news.theage.com.au/action/displayCopyrightNotice?sourceOrganisation=AAP
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/fiji-pm-pardons-aussie-masons-after-raid-20090716-dluc.html
Fiji PM pardons Aussie Masons after raid
July 16, 2009 - 7:36AM
Eight Australians spent a night in a Fiji prison cell after police, alerted by frightened residents suspecting sorcery, raided their Freemasons meeting.
The Australians were among 14 people arrested and then released in Fiji on charges of sorcery after conducting a meeting of the Freemasons society, The Canberra Times reported on Thursday.
It is understood Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama granted the men an official pardon after the group contacted the Fiji Attorney-General's office, the paper said.
The group was held at Nasudi police station for 24 hours after their arrest at Denarau Island on Tuesday night until they received news of the top-level intervention.
"An officer came in and said, 'We have been ordered by the prime minister's department to release you, however, the matter will still remain under investigation', and the prime minster himself is coming to the office later in the day to review the evidence," a member of the group, who didn't want to be named, said.
It is understood locals contacted police after becoming concerned about the group's unusual equipment, which is believed to have included a sword, mace and Bible, The Canberra Times said.
A New Zealand man, who was also among the group, blamed "dopey village people" for the raid on Tuesday, NZPA reported.
A spokesman for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed 14 people, including the eight Australians, were detained for convening a Masonic meeting without the right permit.
"They have since been released and we understand police are still investigating. Charges have not yet been laid," the spokesman said.
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation with a membership of five million worldwide.
The Masonic Lodge conducts monthly meetings at two lodges in Fiji, in Suva and Nandi.
© 2009 AAP http://news.theage.com.au/action/displayCopyrightNotice?sourceOrganisation=AAP