Fijileaks: It is still not too late to re-charge NFP leader
* Why did DPP allow Biman Prasad's lawyers to make representation to his office in this matter?
* The Commissioner of Police says he noted with grave concern that the same courtesy of hearing was allegedly not extended to the complainant Ari Taniguchi.
* She provided the Police investigators with her mobile phone, which contained messages sent to her by the married NFP leader BIMAN Prasad
Police Commissioner Qiliho |  |
Fijileaks to NFP leader Prasad: So, this Indo-Fijian witness is a LIAR?
YOU, advised by your lawyers, Munro Leys, chose to remain SILENT during the Police Caution Interview. This WOMAN spoke out
Police Commissioner Qiliho confirm's the Indo-Fijian woman's Police statement in which she claimed Prasad took Mrs Taniguichi's photo without her knowledge and sent it to her telling her: 'You look beautiful'
| "It’s alleged that on July 16, the complainant’s husband, Hiroshi Taniguchi, invited Prasad and his wife for dinner at their residence in Nadi. It’s alleged that at the dinner, Prasad took Taniguchi’s photo without her knowledge. It’s believed she learned about the photo when Prasad sent it to her at 4 am through WhatsApp, and this was when the unwanted attention became so overwhelming that Taniguchi deleted WhatsApp from her phone." |  |
Fijileaks: It is still not too late to re-charge NFP leader who had chosen to remain silent during the Police caution interview, represented by his lawyers from Munro Leys. Strange for a leader who SPEAKS OUT every day in the Opposition rag sheets, the Fiji Times and FijiVillage News
* We wonder whether the DPP took into account the text messages which clearly point to Prasad's alleged indecent behaviour when Mrs Taniguchi visited the NFP Head Office in Suva.
* As promised, we will reveal the WhatsApp Text messages, and both Mrs Ari Taniguchi and and Indo-Fijian woman's police statements in due course. We sent the two police statements to Prasad for comments but so far, he is yet to reply. He is also quiet on those text messages.
Meanwhile, as a veteran political watcher commented to Fijileaks:
"Makes sense now why out of the blue, Mr T was picked to stand, especially by a traditionally Indo-Fijian Party"
Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho this afternoon raised serious concern about the decision by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution not to pursue charges against the National Federation Party Leader.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, yesterday directed the Police not to lay any charges against Professor Biman Prasad.
Prasad was suspected of allegedly indecently annoying a woman on two separate occasions earlier this year.
Qiliho today says the police are concerned that this decision of the DPP can allegedly undermine the confidence of the public, in particular women and children, who are generally the victims of sexual impropriety, to report such matters.
He says they are also concerned about certain irregularities including seeking representations by the lawyers of Prasad.
The Commissioner of Police says he noted with grave concern that the same courtesy of hearing was allegedly not extended to the complainant Ari Taniguchi.
He says Taniguchi has allegedly confirmed that no one from the DPP’s office contacted her after police handed over the file to the DPP’s Office. The DPP’s office, however, contacted Prof Prasad through his lawyers.
Qiliho allegedly note with even more concern that an ordinary Fijian would not be given this opportunity by the DPP to have their lawyers make representations directly to the DPP’s Office.
He says it would be extremely rare, in particular when it involves such allegations.
He alleged that in the recent past, such matters have been brought before the courts, but no such prior representations have been sought from the lawyers of accused persons.
According to the Commissioner, in the case of every other Fijians, lawyers present their case in court, but there is a difference here.
Qiliho says that in this case, the matter was allegedly not allowed to reach the judicial process, and it would appear that despite evidence given by the complainant and corroborative evidence given by a witness, the DPP is allegedly trying to usurp the powers of the Court.
He claims that police believe the DPP’s decision deviated from the principle of evaluating each case on its own merits, without regard for personality, social status, or politics.
He adds that they are also of the view that the matter was assessed from a political prism and not in the best interest of the victim or the public.
He further says that, as per the Constitution and the law, the police can no longer proceed with the matter since the DPP has the final say in all criminal prosecutions.
However, he claims that in the interest of the public, and particularly to ensure that public trust is not eroded, the police are emphasizing the specific nature of the complaint and the basis on which it decided to lay charges.
He reiterated that they are doing so because they want the public to have confidence that the police force will do its utmost to help the victims of sexual impropriety.
Qiliho says they are also doing so because a segment of the public are accusing the Fiji Police Force of political bias.
He says they have dealt with this matter just as they have dealt with all complaints of sexual impropriety.
He says on October 18, Ari Taniguchi lodged a complaint with the Fiji Police Force against Prasad.
She provided the investigators with her mobile phone, which contained messages sent to her by Prasad, and she also gave her statement, in which she recalled two instances where Prasad attempted to kiss her on her lips and she had to turn her face to avoid it.
He adds that the complainant also talked about how Prasad allegedly hugged her tightly and in an aggressive manner.
Qiliho says this allegation was corroborated by another woman who had witnessed the incident.
He says police then took Taniguchi’s statement, a statement from the witness, and called Prasad for an interview.
He says this interview was conducted in the presence of the NFP leader’s lawyers, Munro Leys and Prasad, who chose to remain silent during this interview.
The Police Commissioner claims that Taniguchi met Prasad and his wife on June 23, 2022, at Nausori Airport, they exchanged pleasantries, and during their conversation, Prasad said they should communicate through WhatsApp.
He alleges that on the same night, the complainant started receiving WhatsApp messages from Prasad, and he also sent her a photo taken from their meeting at the airport.
Qiliho alleges that Prasad continued to message Taniguchi through WhatsApp, saying “Hi” and sending heart emojis.
He claims that Prasad also sent personal messages to the complainant, saying, among other things, that you look beautiful.
He further claims that Prasad allegedly called the wife of the former NFP provisional candidate when she was on her way back to Singapore, which was on June 27, 2022. She saw six missed calls from him on her WhatsApp account.
In another incident, it’s alleged that the NFP Leader invited Taniguchi to come to Suva, and when she replied that her husband was busy, Prasad said that she could come alone.
The Police Commissioner claims that Taniguchi felt very disturbed by this pattern of intrusive behaviour, but she didn’t say anything and only replied with laugh messages because she was in a difficult position, as after all, Prasad was the leader of the political party her husband was going to stand for as a candidate, and in her mind, he was to be respected.
Qiliho says that it’s alleged that on July 16, the complainant’s husband, Hiroshi Taniguchi, invited Prasad and his wife for dinner at their residence in Nadi.
It’s alleged that at the dinner, Prasad took Taniguchi’s photo without her knowledge.
It’s believed she learned about the photo when Prasad sent it to her at 4 am through WhatsApp, and this was when the unwanted attention became so overwhelming that Taniguchi deleted WhatsApp from her phone.
Police say that in her statement, Taniguchi told investigators that on two separate occasions, there were attempts by the NFP Leader to kiss her on her lips.
Once during a candidate’s workshop on July 22 at NFP HQ in Suva, it was alleged that Prasad tightly hugged Taniguchi and tried to kiss her lips.It’s alleged that as he tried to kiss her on her lips, she turned away, and he ended up kissing her cheek.
Prasad allegedly hugged Taniguchi tightly and tried to kiss her on the lips again on August 12 during the nomination announcement at NFP HQ in Suva.
She claimed this was more aggressive because she could feel his arms around her body much tighter this time around. She alleges that when he tried to kiss her lips, she turned her face again to the other side, and he ended up kissing her cheek again.
It’s alleged that this was witnessed by another woman who was with Taniguchi and with whom Taniguchi confided while crying.
Qiliho says police considered Taniguchi’s statement, the witness’s statement, and the interview with Prasad.
He says they then considered charging, as is done in all cases, and Prasad was to be charged under Section 213(1)(a) with two counts of insulting the modesty of a person.
He adds that Prasad was advised to appear in court on November 15, 2022, when he would be handed his detailed charge sheet and disclosures.
He says the Fiji Police Force has the legal power to charge any person for an offence and the power to grant police bail, and this was done.
Questions have been sent to ODPP regarding the matter. Source: FBC News
Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, yesterday directed the Police not to lay any charges against Professor Biman Prasad.
Prasad was suspected of allegedly indecently annoying a woman on two separate occasions earlier this year.
Qiliho today says the police are concerned that this decision of the DPP can allegedly undermine the confidence of the public, in particular women and children, who are generally the victims of sexual impropriety, to report such matters.
He says they are also concerned about certain irregularities including seeking representations by the lawyers of Prasad.
The Commissioner of Police says he noted with grave concern that the same courtesy of hearing was allegedly not extended to the complainant Ari Taniguchi.
He says Taniguchi has allegedly confirmed that no one from the DPP’s office contacted her after police handed over the file to the DPP’s Office. The DPP’s office, however, contacted Prof Prasad through his lawyers.
Qiliho allegedly note with even more concern that an ordinary Fijian would not be given this opportunity by the DPP to have their lawyers make representations directly to the DPP’s Office.
He says it would be extremely rare, in particular when it involves such allegations.
He alleged that in the recent past, such matters have been brought before the courts, but no such prior representations have been sought from the lawyers of accused persons.
According to the Commissioner, in the case of every other Fijians, lawyers present their case in court, but there is a difference here.
Qiliho says that in this case, the matter was allegedly not allowed to reach the judicial process, and it would appear that despite evidence given by the complainant and corroborative evidence given by a witness, the DPP is allegedly trying to usurp the powers of the Court.
He claims that police believe the DPP’s decision deviated from the principle of evaluating each case on its own merits, without regard for personality, social status, or politics.
He adds that they are also of the view that the matter was assessed from a political prism and not in the best interest of the victim or the public.
He further says that, as per the Constitution and the law, the police can no longer proceed with the matter since the DPP has the final say in all criminal prosecutions.
However, he claims that in the interest of the public, and particularly to ensure that public trust is not eroded, the police are emphasizing the specific nature of the complaint and the basis on which it decided to lay charges.
He reiterated that they are doing so because they want the public to have confidence that the police force will do its utmost to help the victims of sexual impropriety.
Qiliho says they are also doing so because a segment of the public are accusing the Fiji Police Force of political bias.
He says they have dealt with this matter just as they have dealt with all complaints of sexual impropriety.
He says on October 18, Ari Taniguchi lodged a complaint with the Fiji Police Force against Prasad.
She provided the investigators with her mobile phone, which contained messages sent to her by Prasad, and she also gave her statement, in which she recalled two instances where Prasad attempted to kiss her on her lips and she had to turn her face to avoid it.
He adds that the complainant also talked about how Prasad allegedly hugged her tightly and in an aggressive manner.
Qiliho says this allegation was corroborated by another woman who had witnessed the incident.
He says police then took Taniguchi’s statement, a statement from the witness, and called Prasad for an interview.
He says this interview was conducted in the presence of the NFP leader’s lawyers, Munro Leys and Prasad, who chose to remain silent during this interview.
The Police Commissioner claims that Taniguchi met Prasad and his wife on June 23, 2022, at Nausori Airport, they exchanged pleasantries, and during their conversation, Prasad said they should communicate through WhatsApp.
He alleges that on the same night, the complainant started receiving WhatsApp messages from Prasad, and he also sent her a photo taken from their meeting at the airport.
Qiliho alleges that Prasad continued to message Taniguchi through WhatsApp, saying “Hi” and sending heart emojis.
He claims that Prasad also sent personal messages to the complainant, saying, among other things, that you look beautiful.
He further claims that Prasad allegedly called the wife of the former NFP provisional candidate when she was on her way back to Singapore, which was on June 27, 2022. She saw six missed calls from him on her WhatsApp account.
In another incident, it’s alleged that the NFP Leader invited Taniguchi to come to Suva, and when she replied that her husband was busy, Prasad said that she could come alone.
The Police Commissioner claims that Taniguchi felt very disturbed by this pattern of intrusive behaviour, but she didn’t say anything and only replied with laugh messages because she was in a difficult position, as after all, Prasad was the leader of the political party her husband was going to stand for as a candidate, and in her mind, he was to be respected.
Qiliho says that it’s alleged that on July 16, the complainant’s husband, Hiroshi Taniguchi, invited Prasad and his wife for dinner at their residence in Nadi.
It’s alleged that at the dinner, Prasad took Taniguchi’s photo without her knowledge.
It’s believed she learned about the photo when Prasad sent it to her at 4 am through WhatsApp, and this was when the unwanted attention became so overwhelming that Taniguchi deleted WhatsApp from her phone.
Police say that in her statement, Taniguchi told investigators that on two separate occasions, there were attempts by the NFP Leader to kiss her on her lips.
Once during a candidate’s workshop on July 22 at NFP HQ in Suva, it was alleged that Prasad tightly hugged Taniguchi and tried to kiss her lips.It’s alleged that as he tried to kiss her on her lips, she turned away, and he ended up kissing her cheek.
Prasad allegedly hugged Taniguchi tightly and tried to kiss her on the lips again on August 12 during the nomination announcement at NFP HQ in Suva.
She claimed this was more aggressive because she could feel his arms around her body much tighter this time around. She alleges that when he tried to kiss her lips, she turned her face again to the other side, and he ended up kissing her cheek again.
It’s alleged that this was witnessed by another woman who was with Taniguchi and with whom Taniguchi confided while crying.
Qiliho says police considered Taniguchi’s statement, the witness’s statement, and the interview with Prasad.
He says they then considered charging, as is done in all cases, and Prasad was to be charged under Section 213(1)(a) with two counts of insulting the modesty of a person.
He adds that Prasad was advised to appear in court on November 15, 2022, when he would be handed his detailed charge sheet and disclosures.
He says the Fiji Police Force has the legal power to charge any person for an offence and the power to grant police bail, and this was done.
Questions have been sent to ODPP regarding the matter. Source: FBC News
