By Jenny Suo
A man who says he was questioned by New Zealand intelligence agents over an alleged plot to assassinate Fiji's leader, denies any involvement.
He is one of a number of people in Auckland who say their homes were raided by the SIS.
Former Fijian cabinet minister Rajesh Singh was at work in his Mt Albert dairy when four members of the SIS came knocking.
“They just took my mobile phone and my computer and after my daughter yelled at them, they brought it back,” says Mr Singh.
He says the officers told him they had reason to believe a group, including Fijian army colonel Tevita Mara were involved in a plot to kill Fiji's leader Frank Bainemarama.
“They said ‘Do you know Ratu Loki, do you know Tony Fullman, do you know Mara?’ I said ‘Yes they’re my friends, for the last 40 years’, and they said ‘Oh do they have plans to assassinate Bainemarama?’ I said ‘Who had plans?’ It’s news to me.”
Mr Singh met with Mr Mara two weeks ago in Auckland.
Mr Mara is already wanted in Fiji for trying to overthrow Mr Bainemarama last year. He is currently living with the Tongan royal family, to whom he is related.
New Zealand police won't make any comment over the raids, directing all questions to the Prime Minister's office.
But John Key is also staying tight lipped about the situation.
Fiji's acting prime minister says the Fijian government did not approach New Zealand police to investigate the alleged plot.
“Everything is fine in Fiji, this is the first that we are hearing about it. and I’m sure the New Zealand authorities are not acting maliciously,” says acting prime minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
The Fijian military wasn't aware of the alleged plot either but a spokesman says the Fijian government will be getting in touch with New Zealand about the situation.
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