Fiji’s ‘de facto PM’ Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum named in inquiry into 1980s bombings

There are growing calls for Fiji’s powerful Attorney-General to stand down from office, in the wake of allegations he was involved in two bomb attacks in the late 1980s.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum wields extensive influence in Fiji’s Government and holds multiple ministerial portfolios. Some even refer to him as the country’s “de facto prime minister”.

Police are investigating historical allegations he played a role in two bombings in 1987, during a tumultuous period in Fijian politics that saw a coup and soaring ethnic tensions between the country’s Indigenous and Indo-Fijian populations.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum has given a statement to police in response to the allegations, which were made by two siblings from a prominent political family targeted…