| Submit your comments on this article |
| Down Under |
| Eight Australian Freemasons spend a night in the cells in Fiji |
| 2009-07-16 |
| EIGHT Australians spent a night in jail charged with sorcery after Fijian police raided a Freemasons meeting. Frightened villagers called police after they saw the group's equipment, which is believed to have included a sword, mace and Bible. The Australians were among 14 men who were arrested and then freed after Fijian military dictator Frank Bainimarama granted them an official pardon. The Primie Minister intervened after the group contacted the Fijian Attorney-General's office. The group was held at Nasudi police station for 24 hours after their arrest at Denarau Island on Tuesday night until they received news of the top-level intervention. "An officer came in and said, 'We have been ordered by the prime minister's department to release you, however, the matter will still remain under investigation', and the Prime Minister himself is coming to the office later in the day to review the evidence," a member of the group, who didn't want to be named, said. A New Zealand man, who was also among the group, blamed "dopey village people" for the raid on Tuesday. A spokesman for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed 14 people, including the eight Australians, were detained for convening a Masonic meeting without the right permit. |
| Posted by:tipper |