Deposed Fiji leader challenges military chief

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SUVA, Oct 4 (AFP): Fiji's deposed prime minister Thursday launched court action challenging the legality of military chief Voreqe Bainimarama's bloodless coup last year.
Under heavy security in the Fiji High Court in Suva, lawyers for Laisenia Qarase asked for the December 5 military takeover to be ruled illegal.
They argue that Bainimarama did not have the legal authority to take over presidential powers and dismiss Qarase's government.
Lawyers acting for Bainimarama and his regime said President Ratu Josefa Iloilo had been responsible for dismissing Qarase's government in circumstances allowed by the South Pacific nation's constitution.
Guy Reynolds, acting for the state, said the court did not have the power to rule on the president's actions.