Law Enforcement Conference Will Hopefully Enhance Our Capability to Crack Down on Transnational Crime

It was probably the most gruesome murder ever recorded in Fiji. Today it remains a cold case, the killer or killers still roam free. Russian couple Yuri Shipulin and Natalya Gerasimova were murdered in 2016, their dismembered body parts were washed up on Nadi beaches. The case attracted international interests, particularly in the region.

Many conspiracy theories were abound. The most common was they were victims of mafia-type killing by an organised crime syndicate. It was never proved and remained a rumour. It was thought that no Fijian was capable of committing such horrific acts of brutality, by chopping up two bodies and dumping them in the sea. It would not cross their mind to come up with such an elaborate plan. It was the trademark of professional killers, it was claimed.

The Fijian Police clamped down on updating the media on the progress of investigation apparently after it reached a dead end. Obviously, Interpol in the region was alerted and countries shared intelligence. But they could not crack the case.

This could be a case study to see how we as a region can improve intelligence gathering and sharing to crack down on transnational and organised crime.

On Wednesday at the Hilton on Denarau Island, Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Henry Puna said necessary actions must be taken to disrupt organised crime infiltration into our region. Mr Puna was making his closing remarks at the end of the 2022 Regional Law Enforcement conference last Wednesday.

He said accelerated globalisation had increased the region’s exposure and created an enabling environment for the proliferation of transnational crimes.

His call would enhance the existing regional security architecture. Among the crimes included in the discussions were illicit drugs, cybercrimes, financial crimes, Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, Illegal movement and exploitation of people and children.

He added in endorsing the strategy, PIF Leaders recognised the importance of regional co-operation through open, honest, inclusive and enduring relationships.

Fiji like other island states is susceptible to transnational crime.

The murder of the Russian couple after mysteriously disappearing from the Nausori Highlands in Nadi remains a mystery. The Russian Embassy in Canberra refused to comment. One official said then it was classified and they would not comment because of its sensitivity. They were in communication with the Fijian Police.

The late Mr Shipulin was said to be a former Russian air force pilot. He had a number of failed business interests and was owed up to US$200,000 by former business associates.

Mr Shipulin reportedly had his own business in Ryazan city in Russia in building and real estate companies. But he left them in 2011 and moved to Fiji.

His wife Ms Gerasimova was reported to have worked as a librarian.

They were sighted in Denarau after leaving their farm on the same day.

Their vehicle, carrying the registration ‘PILOT’, was said to have been seen entering the Natadola area later that evening.

Police recovered it at Natadola on the evening of June 17. But the couple could not be found.

On June 24, the first pair of feet was found and two days later, the second pair was found. Efforts appeared to have been made to weigh them down in the sea.

DNA tests proved the two pairs of feet were those of the missing couple.

On July 4, a head, believed to be that of Mr Shipulin was found on the beach by a New Zealand couple holidaying at a resort.

Whoever was responsible had hoped that the body parts would sink to the bottom of the sea. But they were washed ashore on the beach.

Six years on there is no indication that we are close to solving the mystery. We hope that the law enforcement conference on Wednesday would help Fiji and the region tackle similar cases in future.