Fiji's military leader Frank Bainimarama has accused Tonga ofillegally sending a navy patrol boat into his country's waters to helpa former army chief facing sedition charges flee justice.

CommodoreBainimarama says the "illegal extraction" took place last week, when aTongan patrol vessel picked up Lieutenant-Lieutenant Colonel TevitaMara off Fiji's Kedavu island.

In a statement published on theinterim government's official website Commodore Bainimarama says hisgovernment takes strong exception to such breaches of Fiji'ssovereignty.

Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Uluilakeba Mara is now inTonga's capital Nukualofa after being rescued by a Tongan Patrol boatlate last week.

Colonel Mara told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat he was fishing in Fiji when he found himself in trouble and put out a distress call.

He says a Tongan naval ship happened to be near the area and picked him up.

ColonelMara says he decided it was a good chance to seek help from the Tongangovernment in an attempt to ensure he is fairly treated in relation tothe sedition and attempted mutiny charges he is facing in Fiji.

The Tongan government has denied accusations that it played a role in Colonel Tevita Mara's escape.

Colonel Mara is now in Tonga under the protection of the royal household after leaving Fiji with the help of the Tongan navy.

The former military commander has accused Fiji's attorney general Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum of trumping up charges against him.

"Contactsin the army as well the police warned me of a plan hatched by Khaiyumto utilise the public emergency act and crimes decree 2010," ColonelMara said

He has posted a video statement on the YouTube websitesaying he sought refuge in Tonga because he is concerned he would notreceive a fair trial in Fiji.

"When I was rescued by the Tongannavy, I asked to be brought to Nuku'alofa, where under the sureprotection of King George's government, I shall be able to tell thetruth without fear of retribution, about the tragic oppression, whichstifles my beloved land," he said as part of his statement.

Lieutenant Colonel Mara is the son of the late former Fiji prime minister Kamisese Mara.

Hewas a senior army commander until he was charged earlier this monthwith plotting to overthrow Bainimarama's regime, which seized power ina 2006 coup.

Commodore Bainimarama says Lieutenant Colonel Marahas been declared a fugitive and Fiji will protest to Tonga's PrimeMinister Lord Tu'ivakano on Monday, as well as launching extraditionproceedings in Nuku'alofa to bring the officer back to Fiji.

FijiPolice spokesman Atunaisa Sokomuri has also told Radio Australia'sPacific Beat that a number of officers are investigating whether otherpeople were involved in the Lieutenant Colonel's escape to Tonga.

"We have a team of dedicated officers looking into the issue, and they have already commenced the investigations," he said.

'Oppression' in Fiji

Colonel Mara says he wants to increase awareness about the oppression people are facing in his country.

Hesays he is facing charges of sedition and attempted mutiny because ajunior military officer reported him for criticising the interimgovernment while visiting South Korea last year.

Some sectors of the Pacific community have criticised Tonga for giving the Lieutenant Colonel Mara protection.

But he has told Pacific Beat it is Fiji's interim regime that is at fault.

"I'msure that is not the Pacific way, what is happening in Fiji, you knowyou have got a regime that is oppressing its people. Is that thePacific way, is the question I ask them."