The Director of the Immigration Department, Nemani Vuniwaqa, has clarified that international reports that Neil Prakash, may be settling in Fiji after he was stripped of his Australian citizenship would

by wati talebula, suva

Neil Prakash

The Director of the Immigration Department, Nemani Vuniwaqa, has clarified that international reports that Neil Prakash, may be settling in Fiji after he was stripped of his Australian citizenship would not be possible as he is not a Fiji citizen.

Prakash who is currently in jail in Turkey, where he faces multiple charges related to being a member of the Islamic State, is not a Fijian citizen, Mr Vuniwaqa confirmed.

The 27-year-old is of Indo-Fijian and Cambodian origins.

In an email, Mr Vuniwaqa confirmed: “Neil Prakash has not been or is a Fijian citizen. He was born in Australia and has acquired Australian Citizenship since birth.

“For a child of a Fiji Citizen born overseas, the parent has to apply for Citizenship for the child to become a Fiji Citizen. If the parent does not apply then the child does not become a Fiji Citizen automatically.

“The Department has searched the Immigration system and confirms that he has not entered the country nor applied for citizenship since birth.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa