On 27 February 2007, Sakiusa Rabaka was left bloodied, bruised, and unconscious after he was taken to the army training base — Black Rock — in Votualevu, Nadi as part of a group of men accused of selling marijuana. Rabaka, 19, died the next month from his injuries. In March 2009, eight soldiers and one policeman were convicted of manslaughter but were released on compulsory supervision orders within a few weeks of their four year sentences. The soldiers returned to the same work they were doing before their imprisonment. Rabaka's father Peni Rabaka said he was worried the men may now seek revenge. He said the six-week long trial seemed to have been for nothing. Sakiusa Rabaka was one of the first death victims of torture at the hands of army and police officers after the 2006 Bainimarama coup.
Sitiveni Qiliho's soldiers KILLED Rabaka. They were under his command.
In 2016, Rabuka's mother said: '
My son's torturers were given a sentence of six to eight years to run concurrently but they only stayed in prison for a few weeks. Where is the justice in that? My son would have turned 30 next year. It's still a hard pill to swallow knowing that he's no longer around..."
The British High Commission in Fiji should HANG their heads in SHAME. Both Paul Welsh, the Deputy High Commissioner, and Melaine Hopkins, the former British High Commissioner, are yet to provide any details on how Qiliho got into the United Kingdom. Who is paying for his studies at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London? Who sponsored him? Why is a Police Commissioner being sent to a British military academy? What new leadership skills Qiliho needs for Fiji?
During the Rabaka Murder Trial, one of the victim's of military brutality told what transpired:
One witness, Josua Saunaqali, told of being subjected to military torture. He was ordered to strip to his underwear and perform oral sex. The military accused them of buying marijuana. Saunaqali said they were told to strip to their underwear and made to run to three points at which three of the accused were waiting to whip them. When they failed to keep up with the pace, they were beaten. They were made to duck-walk carrying a piece of timber. They were also made to crawl on their stomachs without using their arms. They were beaten and kicked through out. He said Rabaka was not able to stand the torture and was groaning in pain. Saunaqali said they pleaded for the torturing of Rabaka to stop because he was just a young boy but it continued. Saunaqali said he failed to complete a drill and a soldier kicked his chin. He said a soldier ordered him and another friend to perform oral sex on an unnamed man. He said he recognised Fiji rugby player Napolioni Naulia as part of the squad. Those on trial were police officer Patrick Nayacalagilagi and Talone Lua, Ulaiasi Radike, Etonia Nadura, Ratuinaisa Toutou, Joeli Lesavua, Jona Nareki, Ilaisa Kurimavua and Naulia. Nareki played for the Fiji Sevens in the 2000 Dubai Sevens and Naulia for the team at the South Pacific Games two years ago.
Their Commanding Officer SITIVENI QILIHO is yet to be held accountable. But not for long, for we plan to get him arrested under the UK Torture Convention
Rabaka's mother, Alanieta Rabaka, had mounted an emotional and drawn out regional media campaign to get justice. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Australian Prime Minister John Howard had taken up her case. Listen to her story of the murder of her son:
SITIVENI QILIHO ESCAPES JUSTICE IN THE MURDER OF SAKIUSA RABAKA
On January 24, 2007, RFMF and police personnel detained four young men, including 19-year old Sakiusa Rabaka, ostensibly for smoking marijuana. They took the men to the Black Rock Military Base, near Nadi, and forced the men to participate in severe exercises, which included multiple beatings.
Among many indignities, the soldiers forced one man to perform oral sex on an unconscious co-detainee. The four were dropped off at a police station the following day, where they confessed to their crimes, and then released. Rabaka died as a result of injuries sustained during the assaults.
The RFMF attempted to frustrate the criminal investigation into this incident. The army refused to allow the police to interview eight RFMF soldiers suspected of involvement. The police then lost the file, necessitating that much of the investigation be redone.
The DPP ultimately charged eight RFMF soldiers and one police officer with murder, at which point the RFMF tried to send them abroad on a UN peacekeeping mission.
The attempt was nearly successful, with only a last minute intervention resulting in the accused being asked to de-board a UN chartered airplane at the airport. Following trial, all nine were convicted of manslaughter and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on March 17, 2009 and sentenced to four years, imprisonment.
The following RFMF soldiers based at the RFMF,s Black Rock Base in Nadi in February 2007 were convicted: (1) Taione Lua; (2) Ulaiasi Radike; (3) Etonia Nadura; (4) Ratunaisa Toutou; (5) Joeli Lesavua; (6) Jona Nareki; (7) Laisa Kurimavua (8) Napolioni Naulia Patrick Nayacalagilagi, a police officer at the Namaka Police Station in February 2007, was also convicted. US Embassy in Fiji to Washington: Wikileaks
On January 24, 2007, RFMF and police personnel detained four young men, including 19-year old Sakiusa Rabaka, ostensibly for smoking marijuana. They took the men to the Black Rock Military Base, near Nadi, and forced the men to participate in severe exercises, which included multiple beatings.
Among many indignities, the soldiers forced one man to perform oral sex on an unconscious co-detainee. The four were dropped off at a police station the following day, where they confessed to their crimes, and then released. Rabaka died as a result of injuries sustained during the assaults.
The RFMF attempted to frustrate the criminal investigation into this incident. The army refused to allow the police to interview eight RFMF soldiers suspected of involvement. The police then lost the file, necessitating that much of the investigation be redone.
The DPP ultimately charged eight RFMF soldiers and one police officer with murder, at which point the RFMF tried to send them abroad on a UN peacekeeping mission.
The attempt was nearly successful, with only a last minute intervention resulting in the accused being asked to de-board a UN chartered airplane at the airport. Following trial, all nine were convicted of manslaughter and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on March 17, 2009 and sentenced to four years, imprisonment.
The following RFMF soldiers based at the RFMF,s Black Rock Base in Nadi in February 2007 were convicted: (1) Taione Lua; (2) Ulaiasi Radike; (3) Etonia Nadura; (4) Ratunaisa Toutou; (5) Joeli Lesavua; (6) Jona Nareki; (7) Laisa Kurimavua (8) Napolioni Naulia Patrick Nayacalagilagi, a police officer at the Namaka Police Station in February 2007, was also convicted. US Embassy in Fiji to Washington: Wikileaks
