Three deny murdering man after alleged ransom demand
The State alleges the accused held Afroz Khan hostage before drowning him when a $10,000 ransom was not paid.
Monday 27 July 2026 | 14:00
Three men accused of holding a man hostage, demanding a $10,000 ransom and later drowning him in a river have pleaded not guilty to murder in the High Court in Suva.
Edward Nand, Semi Naisevunivai and Viliame Vulawalu are jointly charged with the murder of Afroz Khan.
The State alleges the three men held Khan hostage between November 27 and December 27, 2024, and demanded a $10,000 ransom from his wife.
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It is alleged that when the ransom was not paid, they assaulted Khan before drowning him in a river in Naitasiri.
During the hearing, the State confirmed it had served the first part of its voir dire disclosures on Nand and sought more time to serve the remaining disclosures on the other two accused.
The matter has been adjourned to August 31.
Naisevunivai and Vulawalu were granted further bail, while Nand, who is serving a sentence after being convicted in a separate murder case, had his production order extended.
