Six men appeared before the Nausori Magistrates Court yesterday, facing a total of 17 charges related to rape and assault in connection with two alleged incidents involving a 14-year-old girl in 2020. All individuals involved, including the victim, are from the same village.
The first defendant, a 22-year-old man, has been charged with seven counts of rape. Another 22-year-old defendant faces eight counts of rape. A 24-year-old man is charged with one count of rape. Additionally, a 25-year-old man and a 29-year-old man have been jointly charged with one count of rape, while the latter is also facing charges alongside the 24-year-old for assault causing actual bodily harm in a separate incident.
All defendants are currently in custody, and their case has been moved to the Suva High Court, where it is scheduled to be heard again on October 1, 2024.