Chinese nationals

A statement released today said, “The Government had absolutely no knowledge that Mr Dame had entered into any such lease.”

BenarNews reports the residence, which investigators raided on December. 22, was used as a base for forging passports by foreigners including two Chinese nationals wanted by Beijing, Thai police have said. 

Dame’s whereabouts as well as his and the Nauru consulate’s role, if any, in the passport mill are unclear. According to the Thai police, the illicit operation forged Chinese and Nauru passports reports BenarNews,

The six Chinese travellers were returned to Nadi from Samoa aboard a Fiji Airways flight for not meeting the self-quarantine requirements at Apia Airport.

Health official Sunil Chandra said the group tested negative for coronavirus and posed no threat to the public.

However, Mr Chandra could not confirm whether the group had been sent home or allowed to remain in Fiji due to restrictions imposed by the Chinese government at its borders.

Samoa's new emergency measures require travellers to undergo medical clearance at least three days before heading to the island.