10 Nov 2015

Fiji military lawyer represents suspended policemen

7:56 am on 10 November 2015

Fiji's Land Force Commander Sitiveni Qiliho says the military's lawyer will represent three accused police officers who have been recruited to the military's ranks.

Fiji Military pass out parade.

Fiji Military pass out parade. Photo: Fiji Government

The men who have been charged in relation to the videotaped beating of an escaped prisoner were earlier suspended from the police force.

Their recruitment by the military amid an ongoing court case has raised concerns in Fiji about the military's commitment to the rule of law.

Colonel Qiliho says the military had good intentions in recruiting the trio who he says had been abandoned by the police.

"They were working for the safety of the people of Fiji. They might have been now involved in the wrong side of the law, but we'll go through the court process. It doesn't mean that we've recruited them that we will not go through the court process. No that will continue. We took them on because they were abandoned."

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