( AFP ) - A prominent Fiji businessman and a high chief were in custody Sunday accused of plotting to assassinate President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, a lawyer allowed to visit one of the men told reporters.
The area around the central police station in Suva has been cordoned off in an operation which appears to involve both police and army officers.
There was no immediate confirmation of the arrests, but Police Commissioner Esala Teleni was expected to hold a press conference later Sunday.
The two men, who were detained Saturday, were identified by the Fijilive website as businessman Ballu Khan and former Senator Ratu Inoke Takiveikata.
The lawyer, who requested anonymity, was taken to the police station Saturday evening and said she was only allowed to see Inoke.
When she left, interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, who led a military coup which toppled prime minister Laisenia Qarase last December, arrived and spent 30 minutes in the police station, waiting reporters said.
Fiji TV said Khan holds a New Zealand passport and an official from the New Zealand High Commission in Suva also arrived at the police station.