2.30 pm
SUVA - A former soldier who planned to abduct the Prime Minister of Fiji and senior civil servants, has pleaded guilty in the Suva Magistrates Court.
Niumaia Cati, aged 49, was charged with possession of a seditious publication, after he prepared an operational order for the removal of the President, abolition of the constitution and "other actions against the peace and good order of Fiji".
Police claim Cati was part of a group planning to kidnap Prime Mininster Laisenia Qarase, attorney general Qoriniasi Bale and military chief Commodore Voroqe Banimarama. They allegedly planned to use their hostages to bargain for the release of George Speight who is facing a charge of treason in relation to the May 2000 coup. Speight is scheduled to stand trial next month.
The plan included destabilisation of the government, house arrest of senior military officers and government ministers and declaration of martial law.
