Fiji saw its most recent coup less than a year ago

Magistrates in the capital, Suva, dropped a conspiracy to incite mutiny charge and threw out two offences of conspiracy to murder.

The ten each still face three charges of conspiracy to murder Commodore Frank Bainimarama and other officials.

An eleventh man, former MP Peceli Rinakam, has had all charges dropped.

The men were arrested in November over the alleged plot against Cmdr Bainimarama and four senior military and cabinet officials.

International concern

The arrests drew international criticism at the time but Cmdr Bainimarama, who came to power after a bloodless coup in 2006, said they were necessary to prevent instability and bloodshed.

A New Zealand man was among those arrested, and Wellington made strong protests over his treatment.

Ballu Khan, who has not yet been charged according to the Associated Press, is still in hospital recovering from injuries he sustained during the arrest.

Magistrate John Semisi did not explain the decision to drop the charges.

All were released on bail of 1,000 Fiji dollars (�316; $634) and ordered not to communicate with other alleged conspirators.

Nine of the men were in court to hear the decision. A tenth man, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, is being treated in hospital and was not obliged to appear in court.

The ten men will appear in court on 21 January to answer the three remaining charges of conspiracy to murder.

They face up to 14 years in jail if found guilty.