Pacific

Fiji police: brutality case still open

06:48 am on 27 October 2014

The head of police in Fiji says he is in contact with the Director of Public Prosecutions over the alleged brutality by security personnel captured in a video.

Video footage of a man allegedly being beaten by Fiji security personnel in 2012. Photo: RNZ

About 18 months ago authorities promised an investigation following the release of a clip online showing the severe beating of two recaptured prisoners.

In July the Police Chief of Operations, Rusiate Tudravu, said the file was closed, but a week later the Police Commissioner said the case got confused with a probe into possible charges over uploading the video.

Major General Ben Groenewald said after raising it with the Director of Public Prosecutions the case was reopened.

Mr Groenewald says it was poorly handled.

He says there is constant communication now between the investigating officer and the DPP in terms of progress over the investigation.