Scott Murder Reporting Condemned

Regime, Police, Businessman Condemn Murder Reporting
Issue No: 915 5 July 2001

The Qarase regime and businessmen in Fiji have condemned the reporting of the brutal murder of Red Cross Director John Scott.

Mark Halabe, a garment manufacturer who was often seen with the terrorists on the Parliament Complex, has condemned the media for linking the murder to the terrorist acts of last year. He stated: "Although there are elements what point to the direction that Mr. Scott could have been killed because of his link to the coup, the basis of their speculation is nil because there is not enough evidence". He further stated that people should wait for the police to complete their investigations. He said: "This is a repetition of the way the international media handled the situation last year, they do not realise that assumptions could cause major anguish for some people".

Police Commissioner Isikia Savua has also stated that the murders were `lifestyle killing', hinting that they were related to the homosexuality of the victims. He stated: "I do not think it was politically motivated".

The Qarase regime has also condemned the media and others for stating that the murders were politically linked.

It is understood that Scott had compiled a 30-page report on the terrorists and the figures behind the terrorism of last year.

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