Pita Driti Explained

Lieutenant Colonel Pita Driti is a former Fijian soldier who played a prominent role in the 2006 Fijian coup d'état. He served as the Land Force Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, the third most senior position in the Military.

Driti was educated at Suva Grammar School.[1]

In the leadup to the coup, Driti accused the Australian government of infiltrating mercenaries into Fiji.[2] He also demanded that Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase be investigated for attempting to remove RFMF commander Frank Bainimarama.[3] In the aftermath of the coup he instigated a witch-hunt for critics of the military regime, who were rounded up and taken to the RFMF barracks in Suva, beaten and intimidated.[4] [5] [6]

In June 2007 Driti was proposed for the position of High Commissioner to Malaysia.[7] His appointment was repeatedly delayed after Malaysia refused to accept him.[8] [9] In September 2008 Suliasi Lutubula was appointed to the position.[10]

In April 2009 he was made an Officer of the Order of Fiji.[11]

In October 2009 Driti was proposed to lead a contingent of soldiers for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq.[12] In February 2010 the United Nations rejected the proposal on the basis that Driti was the subject of credible allegations of human rights abuse.[13]

In October 2010 Driti and Tevita Mara were unexpectedly placed on extended leave[14] and replaced as Land Force Commander and 3rd Fiji Infantry Regiment commander respectively.[15] In May 2011 both were charged with sedition,[16] and Driti was also charged with inciting mutiny.[17] Mara subsequently fled to Tonga, causing a diplomatic incident.[18] Driti was tried in November 2013, with the military regime alleging that he and Mara had plotted to remove Bainimarama from power.[19] Despite being found not guilty by a panel of assessors,[20] he was convicted of inciting mutiny.[21] [22] On 13 December 2013 he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole period of four years by judge Paul Madigan.[23] [24] He was granted weekend release from prison in December 2017.[25]

Following his release in February 2018 Driti made a traditional apology to Bainimarama and senior RFMF officers.[26]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Grammar still going strong at 50 . Fiji Sun . 8 February 2010 . 26 March 2023.
  2. Web site: Fiji military wants more information on group of Australian nationals . RNZ . 6 November 2006 . 26 March 2023 .
  3. Web site: Fiji military wants PM investigated over commander . RNZ . 22 November 2006 . 26 March 2023 .
  4. Web site: Fiji military to seize and warn letter writer . RNZ . 8 May 2007 . 26 March 2023.
  5. Web site: Reports of Fiji's military still rounding people up to take them to camp . RNZ . 15 May 2007 . 26 March 2023.
  6. Web site: Fiji military continues detentions in hunt for bloggers . RNZ . 18 May 2007 . 26 March 2023.
  7. Web site: Fiji military top figures touted for diplomacy . RNZ . 12 June 2007 . 26 March 2023.
  8. Web site: Fiji's ambassador designate to Malaysia claims political meddling by New Zealand . RNZ . 3 October 2007 . 26 March 2023.
  9. Web site: Fiji's interim government finds looking for suitable candidates for overseas posts difficult . RNZ . 18 December 2007 . 26 March 2023.
  10. Web site: Lutubula is new High Commissioner to Malaysia . Fiji sun . 29 September 2008 . 26 March 2023.
  11. Web site: Fiji's interim prime minister awarded an honour by President . RNZ . 25 April 2009 . 26 March 2023.
  12. Web site: Fiji land force commander to take up 6-month UN Iraq job . RNZ . 29 October 2006 . 26 March 2023 .
  13. Web site: UN cites human rights record for rejecting Fiji's Iraq nominee . RNZ . 23 February 2010 . 26 March 2023.
  14. Web site: Two of Fiji's most senior military men placed on extended leave . RNZ . 25 October 2010 . 26 March 2023.
  15. Web site: Fiji interim leader appoints replacement officers to head military . RNZ . 25 October 2010 . 26 March 2023 .
  16. Web site: Top Fiji soldiers charged over plot . Stuff . Michael Field . 4 May 2011 . 27 March 2023.
  17. Web site: Driti charged with inciting Fiji mutiny . RNZ . 4 May 2011 . 26 March 2023.
  18. Web site: Fiji's Mara extradition request sent to Tonga . RNZ . 17 May 2011 . 26 March 2023.
  19. Web site: Trial for alleged plot to remove Fiji's PM begins . RNZ . 20 November 2013 . 26 March 2023.
  20. Web site: Assessors: Driti not guilty . Fiji Sun . 26 November 2013 . 26 March 2023 .
  21. Web site: Fiji official guilty of plot . Stuff . Michael Field . 26 November 2013 . 28 March 2023.
  22. Web site: Fiji court finds Driti guilty of inciting mutiny . RNZ . 26 November 2013 . 26 March 2023.
  23. Web site: Naryan. Vijay. Former Fiji military officer sentenced to five years prison on mutiny. Radio Australia International. 5 August 2015.
  24. Web site: 5 years for Driti . Fiji Sun . 12 December 2013 . 26 March 2023 .
  25. Web site: Driti Spends Christmas At Home . Fiji Sun . 25 December 2017 . 26 March 2023.
  26. Web site: Driti Says Sorry, PM Accepts Matanigasau . Fiji Sun . 13 February 2018 . 26 March 2023 .

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