28 Oct 2015

Fiji beatings accused in court today

6:13 am on 28 October 2015

Four people who have been charged in connection with the 2012 beating of two prison escapees will appear in a Fiji court today.

But police are yet to arrest a fifth suspect, Pita Matairavula.

A video of the beating was leaked online in 2013 and showed uniformed security personnel beating two handcuffed men in the back of a pick up truck.

Four suspects -- three police officers and a soldier -- were arrested last week and charged with sexual assault following a protracted investigation which had once been closed before it was re-opened.

They will appear for their second hearing today.

However, a fifth suspect, Pita Matairavula, is yet to be arrested.

Mr Matairavula has been a member of the Fiji military and worked as the Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama's personal security officer.

Earlier this year, he was granted bail following another court case in which he was among nine people charged with the manslaughter and rape of Vilikesa Soko.