Army firm on Baledrokadroka stand
Monday October 09, 2006

The Fiji army says it is determined to see that its former Land Force Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jone Baledrokadroka does not get the top job in the Prison Service.

Baledrokadroka will be brought before a court martial this week for inciting mutiny and two lesser charges of using abusive language and insubordination.

He has also been short-listed by the Public Service Commission for the post of Commissioner of Prisons, which was left vacant by outgoing commissioner Aisea Taoka.

"That won't happen," said Army commander Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama when asked what the army would do if Baledrokadroka was appointed.

"He will not be released until he goes through a general court martial."

When told that PSC chief executive officer Anare Jale had said that Baledrokadroka is innocent until proven guilty, Bainimarama said Jale, "is a CEO who puts his nose into everyone's business".

Jale earlier told Fijilive.com that the PSC was an independent body, established under the Constitution.

He said anyone who tried to go against its decisions would be breaching the Constitution.