September next year has been set as a tentative trial date in Fiji for eight policemen and a military officer accused of raping a man, Vilikesa Soko, who died in hospital last year.
Photo: RNZ
Two of the suspects are also charged with defeating the course of justice by instructing other police officers to make false statements.
Manslaughter charges laid in February were dropped last week.
Vilikesa Soko was arrested in connection with a robbery in Nadi last August, and died at Lautoka Hospital after allegedly being beaten while in police custody.
All but one of the accused were in the Lautoka High Court today where they were granted an extension of three weeks to enter a plea.
One suspect, military officer Pita Matairavula, was absent because he is in remand in Suva in connection with another alleged sexual assault case.