Nauru issues rare statement after whistleblower alleges violent threats against Australia’s non-citizens

Guardian Australia has spoken to advocates and an NZYQ-affected man detained on the tiny Pacific island of Nauru – home to about 12,000 residents – who warn the conditions are poor and unsustainable. Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images

The Nauruan government has issued a rare statement insisting it is a “friendly” and “welcoming” country after a whistleblower alleged “serious threats of physical violence” were made against a group of non-citizens removed there by the Albanese government.

The unexpected defence, sent shortly after midday on Thursday, was mounted hours after the independent MP Andrew Wilkie used his three-minute constituency statement to read claims from an anonymous whistleblower familiar with the arrangements of the secretive $2.5bn deal between Australia and Nauru.