A 31-year-old man, Anare Balewai, has accused police in Fiji of assault and issuing threats against him for seeking to report the incidents. Balewai claims that on March 1, as he was on his way to visit his sister at her workplace in Nakasi, he was confronted by police officers who were searching individuals outside a shop. He alleges that a sergeant warned him that he would be killed if he proceeded with a complaint regarding the encounter.
This is not the first time Balewai has reported police misconduct; he previously accused officers of assaulting him at the Nakasi Police Station just weeks prior. His allegations have raised serious concerns about police behavior and accountability within Fiji. According to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, Balewai has formally filed a report, and the internal affairs division is currently looking into the initial assault claims.
During the encounter on March 1, Balewai stated that he was ordered to lean against a wall for a search, during which nothing was found. He noted that instead, the sergeant allegedly commanded junior officers to handcuff him and forcibly bring him to the police station where he faced further mistreatment. Balewai described the experience at the station as humiliating, detailing degrading requests made by the sergeant.
The Fiji Police Force has acknowledged Balewai’s allegations and has taken steps to refer the earlier assault claims to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for further action. Investigations regarding Balewai’s recent claims of threats are ongoing.
These events mirror other recent reports of police violence in Fiji, including the case of Vilikesa Bari, a 21-year-old student who faced similar allegations. Such incidents have raised alarm about law enforcement practices in the region, escalating calls for a thorough review of how civilians are treated by police.
Amidst these investigations, there is a sense of hope that they will bring attention to the urgent need for police reform and accountability. If handled appropriately, the outcomes could foster improved standards within the police force, creating a safer community and helping to restore public confidence in law enforcement practices.
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