Fiji Police probe alleged assault during arrest

Transcript

Fiji's Police Commissioner says he has begun an investigation into an alleged assault during the arrest of retired teacher Joseva Bilitaki.

Mr Bilitaki, was involved in an exchange of texts over the use of his songs by the Fiji First party of Frank Bainimarama during campaigning for the elections.

Commissioner Ben Groenewald told Jenny Meyer he hopes to complete the investigation within a week.

BEN GROENEWALD:  Following an internal investigation into the arrest and detention of Mr Joseva Bilitaki it appears that certain processes were not carried out according to the law. For example the seizure of his mobile phone, and his arrest and detention. Internal Affairs in my office is currently dealing with the departmental procedures against the officers involved. I can also confirm that the investigation has commenced after the receipt of a formal complaint from Mr Bilitaki of his alleged assault by the arresting team during his arrest.

JENNY MEYER:  Has anybody been arrested or questioned on the matter at the moment?

BG: No, the investigation, Mr Bilitaki was admitted to hospital, he was released last Saturday and I only came to notice of the assault case that he alleged against the police officers when we received a statement through the media. That statement I could not accept because I need a statement with his signature on. I sent out a senior police officer and he took the statement and the case is currently under investigation. No arrests have been made up to now.

JM: How long do you imagine that this investigation will take to complete and bring someone to account?

BG: I hope that the investigator will finish the investigation within a week, then I will submit it to the Director of Public Prosecutions. But initial information indicates that Mr Bilitaki was never assaulted. But we will not speculate on that. I will do a proper investigation and the Director of Public Prosecutions will give an indication whether there is prima facie evidence to take any person to court.

JM: If it were to be the case that he was assaulted, are you aware of whether it's military or police personnel involved in that assault?

BG: Yeah, Mame, it was a combined team of police and military people but the investigation will indicate if there were any assault, who was responsible for the assault. Any person, whether it's a policeman or a military person, if he or she commits a crime, they will face the law.

JM: You're confident that the police force is taking this matter seriously and will come to a just conclusion?

BG: Yeah, Mame my appointment is to uphold the Constitution of Fiji. And I will see that the law has been implemented, whoever is accused of committing a crime.