Deport me, Australian conman tells Fiji

Peter Foster

SUVA - Australian conman Peter Foster has asked Fiji authorities to deport him in exchange for him dropping an assault complaint against police.

Foster's lawyer Mehboob Raza said the fraudster, in a Suva hospital, has been weakened by a hunger strike.

Foster is refusing to eat in protest against his alleged treatment by Fiji police during his capture last week.

Raza said police could interview Foster at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital if they wished, but he called on them to either charge Foster with a crime or let him leave Fiji.

Foster is in police custody awaiting questioning at the Suva hospital, where he is being treated for injuries suffered during his capture after jumping into a river last week.

Fiji police want to question him over a number of suspected crimes, including a plot to discredit a New Zealand resort developer, an international fraud case and immigration violations. Foster says he was framed by a former associate. Raza said Foster leaving Fiji would be the best solution for all involved.

Police were holding talks with prosecution lawyers to decide if they would take Foster out of hospital for questioning.

- AAP