Lawyer claims soldiers ‘roughed up’ client

Lawyer Simione Valenitabua claims five military officers stormed Nabua Police Station and physically assaulted his client, who is being questioned over the alleged assault of a 20-year-old man at Mead Road Housing in Nabua last Saturday.

The victim is believed to be the son of a military officer.

Mr Valenitabua, speaking outside Samabula Police Station last night, claimed: “Five military officers barged into Nabua Police Station and they roughed him up and he was concerned about his safety.”

He appealed directly to Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai and Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua, saying there was no state of emergency that gave soldiers the right to interfere in police work.

“At no point in time are the soldiers able to interfere in the work of the police that’s ongoing,” Mr Valenitabua said.

Police officers in Samabula assured him his client would not be handed over to the military.

Attempts to get comments from the Minister for Defence and the RFMF Commander were unsuccessful at press time.