A post-mortem examination was carried out on the farmer, Marika Radua, who tragically died while in custody at the Savusavu Police Station. Radua, from Naviavia Village in Cakaudrove, passed away on Tuesday following an alleged assault by another inmate in the cell block.
The Divisional Police Commander for the North, Senior Superintendent of Police Kemueli Baledrokadroka, confirmed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation into the incident. He stated that further updates would be provided once the investigation is complete.
According to a statement from the Fiji Police Force, Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew has tasked the CID Headquarters with examining the circumstances surrounding Radua’s death. It was reported that police officers transported him to Savusavu Hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival.
Local advisory councillor Marika Sade mentioned that Radua’s arrest occurred early Tuesday morning after he allegedly set fire to a family home at around 3 AM. Sade noted that Radua’s mother is in a state of trauma, having lost both her house and her son within a week, and is currently staying with relatives away from the village.
This tragic incident highlights the vulnerability of individuals in custody and underscores the importance of thorough investigations in instances of alleged misconduct. It is hoped that the inquiries will bring clarity to the events leading to Radua’s death and support the affected family in their time of grief.
Overall, such investigations can offer an opportunity for improvement in police handling of inmates, ensuring that similar tragedies are less likely to occur in the future while promoting accountability within law enforcement agencies.
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