A 21-year-old maritime student remains hospitalized after reportedly being assaulted by a police officer following a brawl in Nausori on Sunday morning. Vilikesa Bari, who is in his final year at Fiji National University, was waiting for transport with his cousin after attending a birthday celebration with his mother, Una Qionimacawa.
The incident began around 12:30 am when a brawl broke out nearby. Mr. Bari recounted how quickly the situation escalated, stating, “A punch flew towards me, hitting my face, and my phone dropped. We panicked for a moment.” Noticing police officers present, he tried to intervene and asked them to stop the fight. However, it is alleged that one officer mistakenly assumed he was involved in the altercation and forcibly escorted him to a police vehicle.
Mr. Bari alleged that during the transport to the Nausori Police Station, the officer struck him in the head with a torch and continued the assault upon arrival. He described the experience from his hospital bed, saying, “He threw a few punches, kicked me, and dragged me to a table… He told me not to educate them about their responsibilities.”
In an alarming development, after Mr. Bari was taken to Nausori Health Centre for treatment, the same officer allegedly approached him and offered him $500 to drop the case. His mother expressed her concern and heartbreak, stating, “I couldn’t believe it when I heard my son had been hurt… And now they want him to cover it up with money. It’s devastating. I’m pleading with the authorities to take action and address this.”
Pio Tikoduadua, the Minister for Home Affairs and a known advocate against police brutality, has yet to comment on the allegations. The Acting Commissioner of Police, Juki Fong Chew, has called for an immediate investigation into the claims. A spokesperson for the police commented, “We have directed the Director of Internal Affairs to look into the assault claims thoroughly. Officers are constantly reminded to uphold the law, and they are equally answerable to it.” The police have not provided comments regarding the bribery allegation.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about police conduct and has brought attention to the issues identified in the recent Fiji National Security and Defence Review (NSDR), which has classified police brutality as a persistent problem.
In the face of these troubling incidents, the assurance of an investigation provides a glimmer of hope that accountability may be prioritized and that such misconduct will be addressed effectively. The call for change from both the victim’s family and the community suggests a collective desire for a safer and more just policing system.
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