Fiji Police Seize OCCRP Journalist's Phone Over Corruption Post
Fiji police confiscated the mobile phone of Meri Radinibaravi, an investigative reporting fellow with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), after she posted a comment on Facebook alleging corruption within the force. Radinibaravi was summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department in Suva for questioning regarding the post, which referenced former police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho. Although she deleted the comment and stated it was not malicious, officers compelled her to surrender her device for digital forensic analysis. OCCRP condemned the seizure as an unacceptable attack on press freedom and a harassment tactic aimed at identifying sources, demanding the immediate return of the equipment. This incident occurs amidst heightened tensions in Fiji, where Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is considering a state of emergency due to rising drug trafficking and organized crime. The country is also grappling with a high-profile murder investigation involving a drug suspect who died in military custody. Radinibaravi has been actively reporting on these sensitive issues, including alleged infiltration of organized crime into security forces. The event highlights ongoing concerns about media freedom in Fiji, despite recent legislative reforms repealing draconian media laws.
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Fiji Police Seize OCCRP Journalist's Phone Over Corruption Post
Fiji police confiscated the mobile phone of Meri Radinibaravi, an investigative reporting fellow with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), after she posted a comment on Facebook alleging corruption within the force. Radinibaravi was summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department in Suva for questioning regarding the post, which referenced former police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho. Although she deleted the comment and stated it was not malicious, officers compelled her to surrender her device for digital forensic analysis. OCCRP condemned the seizure as an unacceptable attack on press freedom and a harassment tactic aimed at identifying sources, demanding the immediate return of the equipment. This incident occurs amidst heightened tensions in Fiji, where Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is considering a state of emergency due to rising drug trafficking and organized crime. The country is also grappling with a high-profile murder investigation involving a drug suspect who died in military custody. Radinibaravi has been actively reporting on these sensitive issues, including alleged infiltration of organized crime into security forces. The event highlights ongoing concerns about media freedom in Fiji, despite recent legislative reforms repealing draconian media laws.
OCCRP