Conman Foster's hospital stay extended

SUVA, Fiji - Australian conman Peter Foster's stay in a Fiji hospital has been extended until Monday.

Fiji police, who want to question Foster over a number of suspected crimes, agreed to the move even though the Australian is fit enough to be discharged.

The doctor treating Foster at Suva's Colonial War Memorial Hospital said it was agreed he could recuperate at the hospital because he had nowhere to stay in the city.

He said patients with a head injury like Foster's would normally be sent home to rest.

The 44-year-old's hospital room is being guarded by police and the doctor said he was handcuffed at all times.

Police said Foster cut his head on a boat propeller after diving into a river to avoid capture on Wednesday.

Dr Ifeireini Waqainabete said the decision to keep the Australian in hospital longer had been agreed to by police, the hospital and Foster himself.

"We decided that we'll keep him over the weekend and he'll be discharged formally on Monday," Waqainabete said.

"From there the police will carry on with whatever they need to do in terms of looking after him.

"He's also quite happy with the suggestion to stay in hospital for the weekend."

The doctor said Foster was expecting a visit from his lawyer today.

The 44-year-old Australian is a suspect in three criminal investigations involving international fraud, spreading of false information and immigration violations.

Police had been seeking him for questioning for three weeks before his dramatic capture in a resort area near Suva.

- AAP