Ousted Fijian prime minister Laisenia Qarase started a court action today to challenge the legality of the South Pacific nation's military-backed government.
Mr Qarase was toppled in a bloodless coup last December by military chief Frank Bainimarama, who has since been appointed prime minister by the nation's president.
Mr Bainimarama claimed Mr Qarase's largely indigenous government was corrupt and too soft on those responsible for a coup in 2000.
Mr Qarase has lived in exile on his island home since the coup, only returning to the capital Suva in September - a move that prompted Mr Bainimarama to reimpose a state of emergency.
Mr Qarase's lawyer told the Suva High Court yesterday that Mr Bainimarama did not have the constitutional power to dismiss Mr Qarase and form a government.
