"In 1988, I had collaborated with a BBC documentary team that produced the program Fiji: Paradise in Peril. In that program, my antagonist was none other than the Reverend Manasa Lasaro. We could not believe what we were hearing from his mouth - that Indo-Fijians are pagans who should be converted to Christianity, and that there should be a strict Sunday Sabbath ban, Methodist style. Lasaro was part of Rabuka's inner circle of coupists and one of the most outspoken racist in religious cloth. The extent of his involvement in the 1987 coups was brought home to me during my political asylum trial in London, based on documents presented to court on my behalf by some of his 'born-again' Taukei Movement leaders and foot-soldiers. Murder, arson, torture, kidnapping, were all on the 'religious menu' to subdue and silence some of the leading Indo-Fijian opponents of the 1987 coups, both inside and outside of Fiji. In November 2006, during the trial of five soldiers who had abducted and tortured an Indo-Fijian USP academic Dr Anirudh Singh (see photo below) over the burning of the 1990 racist Constitution, the President-elect Jioje Konrote testified that there was a secret Special Operations Security Unit, which had been set up after the first Rabuka coup. And, Konrote was part of it. Another enthusiastic thug was a young naval officer by the name of Voreqe Bainimarama, who was delegated to guard Indo-Fijian coup opponents locked up at the Samabula Police Station in Suva. Sadly, now we learn that Lasaro has heart condition and can't barely walk. He is facing trial not for his 1987 coup crimes but for allegedly breaching the PER following Bainimarama's 2006 treasonous coup. In the eyes of the Almighty Lord, the coup crimes, do not pay, even for 'Man of God' .There is no religious immunity from GOD!
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Reverend.Kanailagi and Reverend.Lasaro pictured here at C.I.D headquarters in Toorak, Suva
Lasaro and Kanailagi not fit to stand trial - Lawyer
Suva lawyer, Aseri Vakaloloma again stressed in the Suva Magistrates court today that his clients Reverend Manasa Lasaro and Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi are not fit to stand trial.
Lasaro, Kanailagi, Ame Tugaue and the late Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu were charged with allegedly organizing and participating in a meeting in breach of the Public Emergency Regulation in 2011.
Vakaloloma says both Lasaro and Kanailagi are heart patients and will not be able to stand trial.
He told the court that Lasaro is not fit enough to walk.
Vakaloloma further stated that the state counsel could have withdrawn the charges as it’s not a serious case.
The state counsel then highlighted that they intend to proceed with the case as it is been dragging for long.
The matter has been adjourned to the 12th of next month. Source: Fijivillage News, 29/10/2015
Suva lawyer, Aseri Vakaloloma again stressed in the Suva Magistrates court today that his clients Reverend Manasa Lasaro and Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi are not fit to stand trial.
Lasaro, Kanailagi, Ame Tugaue and the late Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu were charged with allegedly organizing and participating in a meeting in breach of the Public Emergency Regulation in 2011.
Vakaloloma says both Lasaro and Kanailagi are heart patients and will not be able to stand trial.
He told the court that Lasaro is not fit enough to walk.
Vakaloloma further stated that the state counsel could have withdrawn the charges as it’s not a serious case.
The state counsel then highlighted that they intend to proceed with the case as it is been dragging for long.
The matter has been adjourned to the 12th of next month. Source: Fijivillage News, 29/10/2015
