Six men appeared in Nausori Magistrates Court yesterday, facing a total of 17 charges related to rape and assault connected to two alleged incidents involving a 14-year-old girl 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 man has been charged with eight counts. A 24-year-old man is facing 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 six men have been remanded 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.