Fiji's millitary regime detained key members of the country's Methodist Church, a day after a few leaders were held for questioning and released, over an annual Church conference planned for August.
Commodore Frank Bainimarama's interim government said church authorities planned to push a political discussion rather than spiritual development at the conference, a breach of the island's Public Emergency Regulations, ABC and Radio New Zealand International both report.
Among those arrested was former president of Fiji Methodist Church Reverend Manasa Lasaro, general secretary Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu, the secretary for pastoral ministry Tomasi Kanailagi, and the church's finance secretary Viliame Gonelevu.
Observers say at least three military vehicles turned up at their respective residences overnight and picked them up, ABC added.
Church leaders insist the conference planned for the end of August in Rewa, near Suva, will go ahead, although the government said it is cancelling the event.
Government spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Neumi Leweni was cited saying that the Chief of Rewa, Ro Teimumu, has also been arrested and detained for a statement she released on Tuesday.
Reverend Waqairatu was also among five Methodist Church leaders and another five lay people, who had also been taken in for questioning by the military regime the previous day.
SOURCE
Police again detain Fiji church leaders (ABC)
Fiji's Bainimarama says church ministers breached regulations (Radio New Zealand International)