Fiji vice president quits amidst storm over early release

Fiji has been rocked by political upheaval. Picture / Dean Purcell

UPDATE - Fiji's vice president Ratu Jope Seniloli resigned today following his weekend release from prison just three months into a four-year sentence for his role in the 2000 coup.

Freedom for Seniloli, 67, has sharply increased political tension in Fiji.

Shortly before the government announced his resignation, the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) issued an angry statement condemning his early release.

On May 19, 2000, convicted traitor George Speight seized the government of Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, taking them hostage for 56 days.

In a bizarre ceremony Seniloli, a one-time school teacher, usurped the role of president, then held by the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, and swore in a government led by Speight and others.

During the crisis the RFMF declared martial law under its commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, who has continued to take a hard line in demanding coup plotters and associates receive court justice.

In August this year Seniloli, along with five others including Deputy Speaker Rakuita Vakalalabure, were found guilty of offences involving taking oaths to commit treasonable offences.

Seniloli was sent to jail for four years and Vakalalabure for six years.

Earlier this month they lost an appeal against conviction and sentence.

But in an unexpected move late on Friday, Attorney-General Qoroniasi Bale released Seniloli from jail under a Compulsory Supervision Orders (CSO) on medical grounds.

He did not cite the medical grounds but it is believed Seniloli was suffering hypertension.

Usually prisoners receive CSO only if they have served at least half their sentence.

Today, Prime Minister's Office chief executive Joji Kotobalavu issued a statement saying Seniloli today called on President Ratu Josefa Iloilo and resigned effective from last Friday.

Iloilo will nominate a new vice president who will then be confirmed in the role by the Great Council of Chiefs, the traditional gathering of Fiji's indigenous leadership.

Earlier an RFMF statement said the release made a mockery of the military, the police and the judiciary.

"We can understand that as politicians they have agendas to fulfil to keep them in power but to have these political agendas extend to the highest office of the land under some legal framework is very insulting to us all, the RFMF statement said.

"It lends no credibility to this nation and its people," it said.

- AAP