Coup trial of Fiji minister to continue

The trial of a Fijian government minister on coup-related charges will continue after a judge today decided he had a case to answer.

Transport Minister Simione Kaitani and three other men are accused of swearing an oath to serve as ministers in an illegal government set up by 2000 coup leader George Speight.

Justice Anthony Gates of Fiji's High Court in Suva today rejected a defence submission that the trial be stopped because of a lack of evidence, news website Fijilive reported.

Speight and rebel forces overthrew a multiracial government in May 2000 and held its members hostage for 56 days before the military intervened.

Speight is serving a life sentence for treason.

Kaitani is the second minister in Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's government to be tried on coup charges.

Former lands minister Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu was convicted earlier this year of illegal assembly at an army barracks during the 2000 crisis.

He only served 10 days of an eight-month sentence before being released to do community work.

Qarase's controversial reconciliation bill allows amnesties for people accused or convicted of coup crimes if their actions are deemed to be have been political rather than criminal.

- AAP