Minister instructs fair investigation into alleged police brutality

Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua has instructed police to conduct a thorough and fair investigation into the incident leading to the death of Sakiasi Radravu as reliable sources confirm no joint taskforce involvement.  

“The investigation is under the responsibility of the commissioner, and I’ve instructed him what to do,” Mr Naivalurua said following his meeting with the Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu, yesterday.  

“These are abnormal times here in Fiji, and we are addressing the issue head on, no excuses. Maybe there was a lack or lapse in some way in the process and the procedures that needs to be followed, but that’s all under investigation.”  

Twelve police officers, believed to be from the Valelevu Police Station, Nasinu, are under investigation for allegedly assaulting Mr Radravu in Kinoya around 10pm on April 23, in relation to a case of alleged burglary.  

Reliable sources confirmed to this masthead that the raid was not executed by the ongoing police and military joint taskforce operations.  

Incident 

Mr Radravu’s family claim that injuries he sustained during the raid contributed to his death on June 4. 

The post-mortem examination result concluded that Mr Radravu died of a pre-existing medical condition, which is being disputed by his family. 

Mr Radravu’s family has requested an independent forensic pathologist to conduct a second post-mortem examination before burial. 

Mr Radravu was accused of breaking into the home of a military officer, also residing in Kinoya. 

The military officer had accompanied the police officers to the house, which was occupied by Mr Radravu and his girlfriend. 

The girlfriend claims that the military officer had also assaulted Mr Radravu.

Days leading up to the raid, a family told this masthead that the military officer had visited their home on two separate occasions enquiring the whereabouts of Mr Radravu. 

The family member said that the third time the military officer came, he told the family that he was with police to search their house. 

"We then showed them where (Mr Radravu and his girlfriend) lived. My uncle followed them to where they live, just up the road. His girlfriend was inside the house with him," the family member said. 

A video circulating on social media shows about four police officers surrounding the corrugated iron house, trying to enter, with screams heard from inside the house. 

The suspect in the alleged burglary has since been arrested.