‘Don't expect five-star treatment in remand’: Murder accused told

A courtroom exchange over whether a murder accused could expect “five-star treatment” in remand set the tone yesterday, as a Human Rights Commission report found Epeli Laqeni’s medical condition was adequately managed at the Suva Remand Centre.

Laqeni, who is charged with the murder of his de facto partner at their Nakasi home in September last year, appeared before Justice Usaia Ratuvili facing one count of murder.

The accused, who has used a wheelchair for nearly five months, was escorted into court via an elevator and made his way slowly into the courtroom.

The court heard two contrasting reports — one from the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and another from the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC).

Defence lawyer Timoci Varinava told the court that an orthopaedic report by Dr Alipate Natoba recommended early bilateral Achilles tendon repair surgery for his client.

Mr Varinava said the defence intended to file a fresh bail application to allow Laqeni to undergo the procedure.

However, State prosecutor Naazish Ali challenged the weight of the medical report, saying it was compiled using documents and materials provided to the specialist, unlike the Human Rights Commission report, which involved a physical assessment at the remand centre.

Ms Ali told the court that although Laqeni was housed in a cell accommodating up to 10 remandees, the environment was conducive to his condition.

She said officers observed that Laqeni was able to stand upright in the bathroom and that his leg had fully healed.

When Mr Varinava claimed his client’s condition had worsened and that Laqeni was often made to lie on the floor, Ms Ali responded that the accused could not expect “five-star treatment” while in custody.

After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Ratuvili granted the defence until close of business on Friday to file a fresh bail application indicating a change in circumstances.

The State has until February 6 to respond, with the bail hearing scheduled for February 10.