
Fiji says local Grace Road investigations continuing
BY: PENI KOMAISAVAI The Fiji Government says Fiji police investigations into Grace Roadchurch are continuing.In a statement on its website, the government says jointinvestigations with South Korean authorities into the church’sactivities remain ongoing.The statement follows the sentencing of Grace Road founder, Shin Ok-juto six years in jail for detaining her followers in Fiji andsubjecting them to beatings and other forms of violence.“As a close friend of South Korea, Fiji offered the full support ofour Fiji Police Force towards any investigations into the Church’sactivities in Fiji,” the statement says,The Fiji Government reminded investors and business owners in Fiji toadhere to the Fijian law.“Any business operating within Fiji, including the Grace Road Churchand its business groups, is required to adhere to Fijian laws, anyallegations of breaches of Fijian law will be fully investigated inthe usual manner.”Five other church officials were this week sentenced in relation tothe charges. Their penalties ranged from a suspended sentence to 42months in prison.Grace Road currently runs a chain of restaurants across Fiji alongsideother retail outlets including hardware, cosmetics, beauty salons andshoe stores.It also has agricultural ventures included rice and vegetable growingand its construction company has won a number of government contracts.IB approached and questioned Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture DrMahendra Reddy on what would the future be for the Grace Road farm inNavua.“I will not comment at the moment but we will see how it goes,” Dr Reddy said.