Kiwi charged over Fiji ‘witchcraft’ deaths

WELLINGTON: Police have charged a New Zealand man with five counts of murder following the mysterious ‘‘witchcraft’’ deaths of a Fijian family last month.

Mohammad Raheesh Isoof appeared yesterday at the Nadi Magistrates’ Court, in Fiji, charged with five counts of murder over the deaths of Nirmal Kumar (63) and Usha Devi (54), their daughter Nileshni Kajal (34) and Ms Kajal’s daughters Sana (11) and Samara (8).

He also faces a charge of attempted murder.

He was arrested last month after the bodies of the family were found in the Nausori Highlands on August 26.

Results of a postmortem showed they died as result of ingesting a toxic substance.

A 1yearold baby was found alive among the bodies.

The case has shocked Fijians. The father of the two dead children told the Fiji Sun his fatherinlaw, one of the deceased, was interested in witchcraft.

‘‘I never saw anyone or any family so much into witchcraft than my inlaws,’’ he said.

‘‘I used to see my inlaws and other witchdoctors making a doll from dough and poking needles in it.

‘‘I always took my daughters away into the bedroom.

‘‘My wife and daughters were obviously also dragged into it.’’

Yesterday, after toxicology reports, police laid charges.

The accused, a Fiji citizen who has permanent residency in New Zealand, and his wife had been questioned by police last month and a court order was issued to prevent the pair leaving Fiji.

Isoof, who was refused bail yesterday, is to appear next in the Lautoka High Court on September 25. — AAP