A fifth suspect wanted in Fiji in connection with the 2012 videotaped beating of two prison escapees has been arrested and charged with sexual assault.
Photo: AFP
The other four suspects in the case - all members of the police and the military - were arrested nearly two weeks ago, and after appearing in court twice, they were freed on bail.
Today, the office of the director of public prosecutions said Pita Matairavula - a military officer - has been arrested and charged with sexual assault.
He appeared in the Nasinu Magistrates' Court where he was remanded in custody until a bail hearing on Friday next week.
This comes after Pita Matairavula eluded police for two weeks, missing two court appearances.
However, last week when police was searching for him, he appeared in a court in Lautoka where he was granted bail in an alleged rape case and allowed to leave.
All of five suspects will appear in court on December the 2nd.
The release of the torture video in 2013 prompted an international outcry, with the New Zealand parliament unanimously passing a motion condemning the beating and torture of the two detainees.
Video footage of a man allegedly being beaten by Fiji security personnel in 2012. Photo: RNZ