Former elections supervisor Mohammed Saneem testified in the Suva Magistrate’s Court about the mistreatment he allegedly faced while in police custody. Saneem, who is facing a charge related to receiving a corrupt benefit amounting to $55,944.03, claimed his detention hindered him from attending his daughter’s birthday celebration at home.
During cross-examination by lawyer Devanesh Sharma, Saneem recounted how he received a phone call from a police officer who pretended to be a client in a separate case. Subsequently, he was arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigations Department, where he said he was informed of his detention based on “orders from above,” which he interpreted to mean directives from the acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), John Rabuku.
Saneem expressed that he was not informed of the reasons for his detention when he requested to celebrate his daughter’s special day at home, only to receive a dismissive response from the officers. He described his experience in custody, alleging he was placed with a disruptive individual and then moved to a holding cell that was unsanitary, filled with rat feces, and where he was harassed by rodents while lying on a worn mattress.
He further noted that these conditions contributed to his panic attacks, linking them to a breach of his fundamental human rights. His legal team claimed to have written to Rabuku regarding these issues but received minimal acknowledgment.
The court has granted both Saneem’s lawyer and the acting DPP seven days to file supplementary submissions, with a decision expected on December 17.
This situation raises critical discussions about human rights within the legal system and the standard of treatment afforded to individuals in custody. While the legal proceedings continue, Saneem’s courageous choice to speak out about his experiences may contribute to larger conversations on reforming detention practices, ensuring respect for the rights of all individuals, irrespective of their legal troubles. It serves as a reminder that justice systems must prioritize the dignity and humane treatment of all accused individuals.
Leave a comment