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SUVA - Fiji's military regime has warned deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase he could be sent to an island prison if he returns to the capital, Suva.
Qarase said on Saturday he planned to return to the capital early this week from his home island in Fiji's remote Lau group, where he fled after military commander Frank Bainimarama seized power last Tuesday.
He has called for peaceful opposition to the coup, but Land Force commander Pita Driti said the army was prepared for any confrontation the former prime minister's arrival may spark.
The military has warned Qarase could end up on Nukulau Island, just off Suva, where 2000 coup leader George Speight is serving a life term for treason.
"It's good that we've known his intentions and there is a possibility that we could remove him from his home island in Vanuabalavu and take him straight to Nukulau Island Prison if he still wants to create trouble," Driti told the Fiji Sun newspaper.
"If not, we will wait for him to arrive in Suva and we will deal with him."
Qarase said he expected to be arrested and questioned by the military regime, but army spokesman Major Neumi Leweni last night said he could not predict Bainimarama's reaction.
"As far the military force is concerned, he's coming back just as a citizen," Leweni said. "I could not say at the moment what the commander's reaction will be."
Qarase said several of his parliamentary colleagues had been taken in for questioning by the army but he would not be intimidated.
The army confirmed it was rounding up dissenters and taking them to Queen Elizabeth Barracks for questioning, in what it says is a bid to avoid civil unrest.
Fiji's Human Rights Commission said it was investigating the military's treatment of former government minister Kenneth Zinck at the barracks on Wednesday.
Zinck was taken from a Suva nightclub by soldiers after he was overheard by Bainimarama's brother making negative comments about the military commander.
He told Legend Radio today that within five minutes, the soldiers had come in to the club and taken him to the barracks where he was made to run around an oval while four soldiers ran behind him with guns pointed at his back.
"Intimidatory tactics do not help the situation at all if he (Bainimarama) wants peace, calm and harmony in the country."
Other senior figures in Qarase's Sosoqoso Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party, including national director Peceli Kinivuwai, have been taken to the military camp, according to the Fiji Times.
The military is still searching for finance ministry chief Paula Uluinaceva who has been missing since Tuesday's coup.
The military believes Uluinaceva is still in the country and has called on him to give himself up.
- AAP
