The Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde (DPP) has decided to charge 8 police officers and 1 military officer in relation to the death of Vilikesa Soko which occurred whilst he was held in police custody in August 2014.
Manasa Talala, Seruvi Caqusau, Kelevi Sewatu, Penaia Drauna, Filise Vere, Viliame Vereivalu, Jona Davonu, Pita Matairavula and Senitiki Natakasavu are to be jointly charged with the Manslaughter of Vilikesa Soko and with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm to Senijieli Boila.
The DPP has also decided to charge these same men with an alternative count of rape in regards to Vilikesa Soko.
In addition, Manasa Talala and Viliame Vereivalu are also to be charged with Perverting the Course of Justice by instructing other police officers to make false statements in regard to this investigation.
Mr Pryde said: “The Police are to be commended for conducting a professional and thorough investigation. This case reinforces the commitment of the State to bring to justice any person who thinks that their position places them above the due process of the law. As this matter is now before the courts there should be no further public discussion or speculation in the media other than what is reported in the courts.”
Manasa Talala, Seruvi Caqusau, Kelevi Sewatu, Penaia Drauna, Filise Vere, Viliame Vereivalu, Jona Davonu, Pita Matairavula and Senitiki Natakasavu are to be jointly charged with the Manslaughter of Vilikesa Soko and with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm to Senijieli Boila.
The DPP has also decided to charge these same men with an alternative count of rape in regards to Vilikesa Soko.
In addition, Manasa Talala and Viliame Vereivalu are also to be charged with Perverting the Course of Justice by instructing other police officers to make false statements in regard to this investigation.
Mr Pryde said: “The Police are to be commended for conducting a professional and thorough investigation. This case reinforces the commitment of the State to bring to justice any person who thinks that their position places them above the due process of the law. As this matter is now before the courts there should be no further public discussion or speculation in the media other than what is reported in the courts.”
Coming soon: A Special VICTOR LAL Investigation - MIDA chairman Ashwin Raj accused of getting Police to charge his principal complainants with "annoyance"; one Police Officer allegedly colludes with him to destroy file, and also Raj stands accused of avoiding stamp duty tax by lying about his use of property. He is HIDING from Fijileaks:
Pryde says No One is Above The Law: We say this MAN thinks HE IS, seen here with the mighty lawmen, past and present, in Geneva - taxpayers reportedly also paid for his three day stay in Paris when he decided to take a detour from Geneva where he had been sent to defend Fiji's draconian media decree as MIDA chairman! His Paris trip was before he claimed that the gruesome Charlie Hebdo killings of journalists was result of unfettered freedom of free speech!
