Former Fiji army chief Lieutenant-Colonel Tevita Mara has started looking at applying to live in New Zealand following his “escape” to Tonga after being charged with sedition.
Ratu Tevita believed he would not get a fair hearing in Fiji. He said he might make a formal application to seek asylum in New Zealand and was already in informal discussions, Radio New Zealand reported.
He was also talking with people in other countries, he said.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister John Key said government officials were looking into whether he could be given political asylum.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Rugby Union says travel sanctions imposed by New Zealand on the military regime will prevent it from naming its best team for the World Cup this year, the Nz Herald reported.
FRU chairman Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga has called on the International Rugby Board to intervene and press New Zealand to drop the sanctions, which stop members of the Fiji military from visiting New Zealand.
Tikoitoga was last night due to meet IRB Oceania general manager William Glenwright to discuss Fiji's concerns.
The IRB has already called on New Zealand to loosen sanctions to allow members of Bainimarama's military regime to attend the World Cup.