Bilitaki file expected to be given to DPP next week

The file in relation to the arrest of Suva resident Josefa Bilitaki is expected to be submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions next week.

This has been confirmed by Commissioner of Police Ben Groenewald who said that the criminal case of the alleged assault was registered by Bilitaki and they are now working on the statements.

Fijivillage also questioned Groenewald in relation to the officers who allegedly assaulted Bilitaki.

In an earlier statement, Groenewald had said that following an internal investigation into Bilitaki’s detention, it appeared that certain processes were not carried out according to the law.

The examples given by the Commissioner were the seizure of his mobile phone and his arrest and detention.

Meanwhile, Opposition Member Niko Nawaikula also raised questions in relation to Bilitaki’s case in his maiden speech in parliament today.

Nawaikula also remembered Vilikesa Soko and others.

Soko, who was allegedly involved in the robbery at the City Forex Foreign Exchange in Nadi in August, died in police custody.

The file in relation to Soko was returned to Police for further investigations.

Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde had confirmed that there were a number of issues which remain outstanding.

He had also said in matters as serious as the death of a person in police custody, it is important that all issues are looked at very carefully before a final decision on any charges is made.