Pacific / Fiji

Fiji police rape trial to last a month

16:00 pm on 18 October 2016

The trial of eight Fiji policemen and a military officer is in its second day today at the Lautoka High Court.

They are accused of the rape of Vilikesa Soko in 2014, while in police custody. He later died of his injuries.

Two of the policemen are also charged with defeating the course of justice for allegedly instructing other officers to give false statements.

The Fiji Times reports that crown lawyers informed the court that about 30 witnesses would be called during the trial.

Four assessors have been selected for the trial process.

Among the witnesses present yesterday were Mr Soko's father, Jeremiah, and a senior police officer with the Major Crimes Division, Inspector Epeli Senitiri.

The trial continues today and is expected to last about a month.