TONGA'S Crown Law office has received the extradition application from the Fijian Government calling for the extradition of Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Tevita Mara to Fiji.

The Minister of Justice and Acting Attorney General Hon Samiu Vaipulu told Matangi Tonga Online today, June 16, that nothing much could be done now since Colonel Mara was in Australia.

The application is being processed at the Crown Law office and Tonga would follow the process under its Extradition Act, he said.

Australia

An application by the Fiji government for the extradition of Lt Col. Mara to face a sedition charge in Fiji was received by the Tongan government on May 23.

Meanwhile, Fiji Live reported on June 15, that Fiji had now filed extradition application papers in Australia for Mara to be sent back to Fiji to answer the charges. It was reported that the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum confirmed that the papers had reached the Attorney General's office in Australia.

Fiji was now awaiting a response from the Australian government on whether it would action the extradition application since Fiji and Australia have an extradition treaty in place.

Lt. Col. Mara left Tonga for Australia on Thursday, June 9.