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.

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

Ina statement published on the interim government's official websiteCommodore Bainimarama says his government takes strong exception tosuch breaches of Fiji's sovereignty.

Lieutenant Colonel Mara,the son of the late former Fiji prime minister Kamisese Mara, was asenior army commander until he was charged earlier this month withplotting to overthrow Bainimarama's regime, which seized power in a2006 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.