Fiji's coup leader emotional during court appearance

SUVA - George Speight had tears in his eyes as he encountered his one-year-old son briefly yesterday while being escorted to court.

Speight and several others accused of treason following the attempted coup in Fiji last May were appearing at a preliminary inquiry in Suva.

It was the first time the prisoners had been on the island of Viti Levu since last October.

Reporters at the scene described the men as dishevelled, thinner and looking older. One reporter said the only accused who looked like he had not aged was Ilisoni Ligairi.

As the group entered the Suva Magistrates Court, they encountered fewer guards than on previous appearances. Speight became emotional when he saw his son, Ilikimi Naitini Junio.

He had tears in his eyes as he was led away from his son to the dock.

In court, Chief Magistrate Salesi Temo allowed Speight and the group to view a six-hour videotape of the May events which is part of state evidence.

The tape was played at the Nasova Police Barracks just outside Suva.

The Chief Magistrate will decide whether the identity of all state witnesses should be revealed to the defence when they re-appear on February 7th.

A date for the preliminary inquiry to continue is also expected to be set on the same day.

- FIJI VILLAGE NEWS