A high chief from the Fiji island of Bau has filed a complaint against the police and the military following his high profile arrest earlier this month.
Ratu Epenisa Cakobau escorted by Police and armed military personnel. Photo: Fiji Village
Ratu Epinisa Cakobau said it was an abuse of power by the police officers and armed soldiers who escorted them when they detained him on June 8.
Ratu Epinisa was detained following an early morning raid ahead of a formal ceremony to install him in the paramount chiefly role as Vunivalu of Bau.
Police were said to be acting on instruction from the Native Land Commission which wanted the ceremony stopped because of an ongoing dispute over who should take the title.
Fiji's Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho Photo: Fijian Government
However the police and military violated customary laws and abused their power under the UN's declaration of indigenous people, according to what Ratu Epinisa has told Fiji Village.
At the time of the raid, the military justified the use of soldiers, citing a vague clause in the 2013 constitution giving it responsibility to "ensure the security, defence and well-being of Fiji and Fijians".
The police commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho, has refused to comment while an investigation is underway.
