Six men appeared in the Nausori Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing a total of 17 charges of rape and assault related to two incidents involving a 14-year-old girl that occurred in 2020. The victim and the accused are all from the same village.
The first accused, a 22-year-old man, faces seven counts of rape, while another 22-year-old accused is charged with 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 are jointly charged with one count of rape. In a separate case, the 29-year-old is also jointly charged with the 24-year-old for assault causing actual bodily harm.
All defendants were remanded in custody by the Nausori Magistrate’s Court. The case has been moved to the High Court in Suva and is scheduled to be reviewed again on October 1, 2024.