Six men appeared in Nausori Magistrates Court yesterday, facing a total of 17 charges related to rape and assault in connection with two cases involving a 14-year-old girl from 2020.
The individuals involved, including both the victim and the accused, hail from the same village.
The first defendant, a 22-year-old man, is facing seven counts of rape, while another 22-year-old man has been charged with eight counts. A 24-year-old man has one count of rape against him. 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 defendant for assault causing actual bodily harm.
All six accused have been remanded in custody, and the case has been referred to the Suva High Court, where it is scheduled to be addressed again on October 1, 2024.