ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S CHAMBERS PRESS RELEASE
A diplomatic note has been received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-Operation from the Government of Tonga stating that the laws of Tonga do not permit their Government to comply with Fiji’s extradition request. This was confirmed today by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
“The diplomatic note gave no reasons for refusing to comply with Fiji’s extradition application and blandly states that Tongan law does not permit compliance. No specific reasons were given” he said.
The Attorney-General also noted that his Office was yet to receive any direct formal response.
“Given that this was a request by the Office of the Attorney-General, courtesy would demand that a formal response is sent to the Attorney-General rather than a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” he said.
Fiji is yet to receive any formal notification from Australia or New Zealand in response to extradition applications that were filed in both those countries last week.
---END---