Fiji rebel leader Mr George Speight and 12 key associates appeared briefly in court yesterday to answer minor charges while a treason investigation continued.
Mr Speight and his supporters arrived at Suva Magistrates Court at about 8 a.m. (2000 GMT) amid tight security after being transported by boat from Nukulau prison island off Suva.
The failed businessman plunged Fiji into crisis in May when he and armed followers stormed parliament and took hostage the island nation's first ethnic Indian prime minister, Mr Mahendra Chaudhry, in the name of indigenous Fijian rights.
Mr Speight was arrested on July 26 and charged on Monday with firearm offences, illegal assembly and the illegal burial of a supporter inside parliament house.
Armed soldiers patrolled the court grounds as the rebel leader, who says he was beaten in captivity, arrived in a red police van with his associates. He smiled as he was driven in to the courthouse and looked well. His security adviser Ilisoni Ligairi had a bandage around his head.
There were no signs of large gatherings by Mr Speight's supporters.
No charges were read out in court. Defence lawyers quickly asked for and were granted an adjournment of one hour to consult their clients.
Mr Speight said in a letter published in Fiji newspapers yesterday he and his aides had been repeatedly beaten while in detention and had feared for their lives.
He was taken to a Suva hospital yesterday for a brief medical examination before being returned to Nukulau.
Police are still investigating possible treason charges against Mr Speight and his associates. Treason carries the death penalty, but it has not been carried out since Fiji's independence from Britain in 1970.
Mr Speight and his supporters had been offered an amnesty from charges relating to the storming of parliament and the 56-day hostage siege, but he failed to meet the condition of returning stolen military weapons.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Mr Joe Naigulevu had said Mr Speight must appear in court before 10 p.m. (1000 GMT) when a court order allowing his detention under expires.
Mr Speight won a series of concessions before freeing his hostages last month. An interim government made up almost entirely of indigenous Fijians will rule for up to three years.
He had sought to end the political influence of Fiji's Indians, who make up 44 percent of the population and dominate the vital sugar and tourism industries.