Five officers to face assault charges
Five Police officers will face charges of an alleged assault, on advise by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
It is alleged that the five officers involved assaulted a 32-year-old villager from Naqia, Tailevu on April 14 this year.
It is alleged the five officers, dressed in civilian clothing, threw the man off a bridge.
On April 24, Police had stated that nine Police officers were directed by the Commissioner of Police, Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, to proceed on interdiction/suspension awaiting the outcome of the investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding the alleged assault in Naqia.
On May 11, Police made another statement that the investigation file into the alleged claims of assault in Naqia involving Police officers was with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for independent legal advice. That file was received by the Police Commissioner on Tuesday, June 16.
Brigadier-General Qiliho said the investigation file was returned from the ODPP and had advised that the five officers be charged with various offences. Their charges include an act with intent to cause grievous harm, assault causing actual bodily harm, and common assault. One of the five officers is a woman and she is charged with conspiracy to defeat justice and interference with witnesses.
The five officers will appear in the Magistrates Court at Nausori tomorrow.
Brigadier-General Qiliho said this was part of its transparent process of ensuring those who abuse their authority were dealt with according to the law.
“The five will have to face the consequences of their alleged actions before the court of law,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commissioner will make a decision later on the other four officers who were allegedly implicated in the case as well.