Three men charged with the alleged rape of a 13-year-old boy at a village in Tailevu appeared at the Suva Magistrates Court on Monday.

Ilisoni Tiko, 40, Adriu Rogomuri, 32 and Epineri Tikomaitamavua, 45 appeared before Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili.

Tiko and Rogomuri are charged with two counts of rape while Tikomaitamavua faces one count of rape.

The incident happened between November 1 and November 31 last year and January 1 and January 19 this year.

Defence lawyer Barbara Malimali made a bail application for her client, Tiko and assured the court she would ensure that her client would change his residential address.

Police Prosecutor Corporal Viliame Duguivalu objected to bail application and said that the offence was a serious one and that the victim was in this case very young.

Corporal Duguivalu also informed the court that the three accused resided in the same village as the victim and they were highly likely to interfere with witnesses.

He also said the offence was prevalent in our communities today and made an application that the matter be transferred to High Court.

The case will be re-called for mention today. All three accused have been further remanded in custody.

Aqela Susu
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