Fiji rugby chief released after arrest
Fiji Rugby Union Board Chairman Bill Gavoka has been released from Police custody.
Gavoka was questioned by Police and detained for 24 hours but released at mid-day today without being charged. He was questioned for destablising rumours and emails he sent around of a so-called prophesy that an earthquake will strike Fiji tomorrow (Wednesday).
It is believed Gavoka and the pastor who made the prophesy will be taken in again for questioning tomorrow afternoon. Last week Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama warned that those spreading rumors of the prophesy, causing unnecessary fear among school children and the general population, would be taken to task under the Public Emergency Regulations.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Islands Tourism and Hotel Association says the so-called prophecy has had no impact on the tourism sector.
Association President Dixon Seeto says they only believe in warnings relayed to them scientifically.
"No, i don't think there is any effect, we believe in facts and scientific warnings and we know how to react and prepare to such warnings. We have systems and procedures in place of what to do during such times."
While many tourists and right-minded individuals would find the prophecy ridiculous and amusing, many locals have expressed concern about the prophetic rumors being spread.
Earlier the Fiji Citizens’ Constitutional Forum called upon the interim government to facilitate the release of Fiji rugby executive Viliame Gavoka from police custody and to stop the arrest of more people for circulating information about a natural disaster.
Gavoka, the chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union and former chief executive of the Fiji Visitors Bureau, was arrested yesterday (Monday) afternoon for circulating emails to tourism operators and members of the public, which contains a prophecy by a pastor that Fiji will be devastated by an earthquake on June 23.
“Gavoka’s arrest is a harsh and unwarranted action by the government. The act of circulating emails to people about a prophecy made by your religious group cannot be classified as a crime,” CCF chief executive Reverend Akuila Yabaki said.
Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimara, who is away overseas, said those spreading the rumours were causing unnecessary fear among children and the general population and would be taken to task under the Public Emergency Regulations.
The rumours have blown up three months after a local pastor, Laione Lutumaimuri Nacevamaca, of the Kuriako's Christian Centre in Nadi, wrote a letter warning of events to come.
Gavoka wrote in his email that this was not a prophecy made by cult leaders, but by a mature and balanced pastor.
"The prophecy is commanding a lot of dialogue in the Christian community across the country and my background was tourism.
"I spent 30 years in the industry and I know that they're very vulnerable and I remember what happened in Thailand in 2004 with the Asian tsunami and I thought I would be doing my duty to alert them to this and prepare themselves for something real. According to the prophecy it will be around 2.30 in the afternoon," he said.
Bainimarama claimed those spreading the rumour had a political agenda and were trying to destabilise Fiji.
"Unfortunately I've heard some real high profile figures are spreading these stories," he said.
Rev Yabaki said: “CCF does not believe or support this prophecy. However, from what we have heard, the email is not inciteful and is not urging anyone to commit any violent or dangerous act. The email is simply warning people to take precautions from a natural disaster that may happen. This surely is not a criminal activity by any standards.
“Everyone has a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and everyone has a right to freedom of opinion and expression.
“Numerous predictions have been made before by religious leaders about impending natural disasters in the world. Many times, these disasters have not eventuated. However, this is not reason enough to declare such predictions by people as a crime.
“The decision to believe these predictions and to take necessary precautions needs to be left to the good judgment of individuals, organisations and experts. As is the case with all predictions, the information should be assessed for reliability, credibility and accuracy and appropriate precautions taken,” Rev Yabaki said.
Also see Fiji PM attacks false prophesies
Fiji Rugby Union Board Chairman Bill Gavoka has been released from Police custody. Gavoka was questioned by Police and detained for 24 hours but released at mid-day today without being charged. He was questioned for destablising rumours and emails he sent around of a so-called prophesy that an...
Fiji Rugby Union Board Chairman Bill Gavoka has been released from Police custody.
Gavoka was questioned by Police and detained for 24 hours but released at mid-day today without being charged. He was questioned for destablising rumours and emails he sent around of a so-called prophesy that an earthquake will strike Fiji tomorrow (Wednesday).
It is believed Gavoka and the pastor who made the prophesy will be taken in again for questioning tomorrow afternoon. Last week Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama warned that those spreading rumors of the prophesy, causing unnecessary fear among school children and the general population, would be taken to task under the Public Emergency Regulations.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Islands Tourism and Hotel Association says the so-called prophecy has had no impact on the tourism sector.
Association President Dixon Seeto says they only believe in warnings relayed to them scientifically.
"No, i don't think there is any effect, we believe in facts and scientific warnings and we know how to react and prepare to such warnings. We have systems and procedures in place of what to do during such times."
While many tourists and right-minded individuals would find the prophecy ridiculous and amusing, many locals have expressed concern about the prophetic rumors being spread.
Earlier the Fiji Citizens’ Constitutional Forum called upon the interim government to facilitate the release of Fiji rugby executive Viliame Gavoka from police custody and to stop the arrest of more people for circulating information about a natural disaster.
Gavoka, the chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union and former chief executive of the Fiji Visitors Bureau, was arrested yesterday (Monday) afternoon for circulating emails to tourism operators and members of the public, which contains a prophecy by a pastor that Fiji will be devastated by an earthquake on June 23.
“Gavoka’s arrest is a harsh and unwarranted action by the government. The act of circulating emails to people about a prophecy made by your religious group cannot be classified as a crime,” CCF chief executive Reverend Akuila Yabaki said.
Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimara, who is away overseas, said those spreading the rumours were causing unnecessary fear among children and the general population and would be taken to task under the Public Emergency Regulations.
The rumours have blown up three months after a local pastor, Laione Lutumaimuri Nacevamaca, of the Kuriako's Christian Centre in Nadi, wrote a letter warning of events to come.
Gavoka wrote in his email that this was not a prophecy made by cult leaders, but by a mature and balanced pastor.
"The prophecy is commanding a lot of dialogue in the Christian community across the country and my background was tourism.
"I spent 30 years in the industry and I know that they're very vulnerable and I remember what happened in Thailand in 2004 with the Asian tsunami and I thought I would be doing my duty to alert them to this and prepare themselves for something real. According to the prophecy it will be around 2.30 in the afternoon," he said.
Bainimarama claimed those spreading the rumour had a political agenda and were trying to destabilise Fiji.
"Unfortunately I've heard some real high profile figures are spreading these stories," he said.
Rev Yabaki said: “CCF does not believe or support this prophecy. However, from what we have heard, the email is not inciteful and is not urging anyone to commit any violent or dangerous act. The email is simply warning people to take precautions from a natural disaster that may happen. This surely is not a criminal activity by any standards.
“Everyone has a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and everyone has a right to freedom of opinion and expression.
“Numerous predictions have been made before by religious leaders about impending natural disasters in the world. Many times, these disasters have not eventuated. However, this is not reason enough to declare such predictions by people as a crime.
“The decision to believe these predictions and to take necessary precautions needs to be left to the good judgment of individuals, organisations and experts. As is the case with all predictions, the information should be assessed for reliability, credibility and accuracy and appropriate precautions taken,” Rev Yabaki said.
Also see Fiji PM attacks false prophesies
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