19 Nov 2014

Legal action over Fiji assault in custody

5:15 pm on 19 November 2014

A man who claims four Fiji military intelligence officers abused and threatened to kill him while he was in custody is planning on taking legal action against the government.

The former teacher and song writer, Joseva Bilitaki, was held overnight in a police cell for allegedly sending annoying text messages to the Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has found there is insufficient evidence to take further action on his claim.

Mr Bilitaki's lawyer, Semesa Karavaki, says despite decrees prohibiting legal action against the government, they will keep fighting the case.

"It is not the norm in any democracy to have these kinds of prohibition. We will still go ahead with that and see how far we can go. That will highlight you know the kind of restrictions that we have, legal restrictions, we have in this country. We will not rest. If we have to take it further to higher authorities we will do that."

Full interview

  • Legal action over Fiji assault in custody
  • Pattern of not investigating police violence in Fiji - Amnesty
  • Fiji prosecutors close Bilitaki case
  • Assault claim victim concerned with Fiji police probe
  • Alleged Fiji assault case goes to Minister
  • Fiji police chief scotches assault allegations