NZ man questioned in Fiji army chief's escape

Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Uluilakeba Mara. Photo / Supplied

Fiji police are believed to be interviewing a New Zealand surfing instructor accused of helping with the escape of Fiji's former army chief of staff Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara.

Tim McBride, who is the husband of Lt Col Mara's niece, was suspected of helping him leave to the island of Kadavu to board a waiting Tonga navy boat last week. He has been in Tonga ever since.

Fij Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama is seeking to have Lt Col Marag extradited from Tonga to stand trial for sedition.

In an interview posted in the Fijian blog Coup Four and a Half, Lt Col Mara said Fiji police were looking in the wrong direction by interviewing Mr McBride.

"My statements and my presence here in Tonga is a big slap in the face of the regime. Bainimarama needs to save face and the only way they can do that is by framing someone as an accomplice to my escape.

"As I said I went fishing by myself and I got into difficulties and I was rescued by a Tongan Navy vessel. I am a military officer and I am perfectly capable of organising a fishing trip."

He said military surveillance teams were loyal to him and not Cdre Bainimarama.

"I was fishing from Sunday to Tuesday before I got into difficulties.

"In that whole time no one knew I was missing. This indicates the lack of support for Frank (Bainimarama) in the army."

A spokeswoman for the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade told NZPA the High Commission in Fiji had contacted local authorities which said there were no New Zealanders in custody.

She said inquiries were ongoing.

Lt Col Mara has been charged with sedition in Fiji - for allegedly making anti-government comments - and accused of trying to overthrow the regime.

He said he fled the country to force a regime change accusing Fiji's self-appointed leader Cmdre Bainimarama of being an "ignorant puppet".

Cmdre Bainimarama has declared Lt Col Mara a fugitive and accused the Royal Tongan Navy of illegally picking up him up from Fijian waters.

Members of Lt Col Mara's family has since been taken in by Fiji police for questioning.

The Bula Tribune, a Fiji publication based in California, reported his sister Adi Ateca Mara-Ganilau was visited by six soldiers, making her the fourth member of Lt Col Mara's family to be harassed.

Mr McBride's wife Adi Koila Ganilau was also picked up, and was forcibly taken to her Pacific Harbour home two days ago before her house was ransacked.

Lt Col Mara wife Dolores was questioned a few days ago and has since been released.

- NZPA