By
The Associated Press
SUVA, Fiji - Lawyers for a jailed coup leader yesterdaydropped attempts to release him, clearing one hurdle to a treason trial.
In Fiji's High Court, George Speight's lawyer withdrew claims that he and a key group of supporters were being held illegally. Lawyer Marc-Michel Gumbert did not elaborate.
In previous hearings, Speight and the supporters argued they had been granted immunity for their role in the May 19 uprising. Judges have said the question of immunity should be answered during the treason trial.
Speight and an armed gang raided Parliament on May 19, seizing dozens of hostages including then-Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry. He claimed to be acting on behalf of indigenous Fijians who had been marginalized by Chaudhry's government.
Chaudhry was Fiji's first leader from the ethnic Indian community which makes up 44 percent of the nation's 814,000 population.
The hostages were released after a 56-day standoff with military commanders who took power during the crisis and who struck a deal with Speight including the immunity offer.
Speight and his key supporters were arrested July 26, days after the last of the hostages were released, and charged with treason. Government lawyers said a preliminary hearings would likely be held in early 2001.
Prosecutors argue that the immunity deal was invalid because Speight's group failed to return all of their weapons and because it was signed under duress.
Prosecutors yesterday dropped treason charges against nine other soldiers in the parliament raid, deciding they were just following orders. However, the military immediately arrested the nine and ordered a court martial on charges of desertion, mutiny and larceny of weapons.
Fiji is now ruled by an interim government installed by the military.
