Torture complaint against Mara

Fijian defector Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara. Photo / Supplied

Police are considering a torture accusation against Fijian defector Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara, who arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday.

Police confirmed they had received a complaint from the NZ-based Coalition for Democracy in Fiji and were evaluating the information to determine if any action was necessary.

The coalition said there were reasonable grounds to believe that Colonel Mara had committed an act of torture in Fiji.

He fled Fiji for Tonga in May after being charged with sedition and New Zealand has granted him a five-day visa.

Colonel Mara said he was surprised by the allegations and denied torture had taken place under his command.