A WOMAN is desperately seeking justice and assistance after her brother, Tabweranibwe Tarawa, was allegedly attacked with an axe while sleeping aboard a fishing vessel in Tonga last Saturday.
The violent assault, reportedly carried out by another Fijian man, occurred following a heated argument between the two.
The attack left the victim with life-threatening injuries, as he remains in a coma at a local hospital.
His sister, Soto Elizabeth Taraua, is now calling on the authorities in Fiji to intervene and help bring her brother home.
Despite the trauma, Ms Taraua holds onto hope that her brother will recover and that the person responsible will face appropriate consequences. This tragic incident is raising questions about the role of local authorities in addressing such matters involving Fijian citizens abroad.
The alleged incident occurred around 4am, last Saturday. He was quickly transported to a local hospital where he remains in a coma.
Mr Tarawa’s sister, Soto Elizabeth Taraua, has urged authorities in Fiji to intervene and help bring her brother home.
“My brother was asleep in his room after the argument when the alleged accused hit him with the axe on his face,” she said.
“I received a call from the hospital on Saturday, and it was the worst news I could ever imagine. I was told that my brother was in a coma after he was allegedly axed.”
Despite the difficult circumstances, she is hoping her brother will recover and those responsible face the consequences.
“Our brother is a fun, loving, and caring man, he didn’t deserve what happened to him,” she said.
When asked whether authorities would intervene in the case allegedly involving two Fijian citizens, police confirmed the matter would be handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Questions sent to Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka were unanswered and attempts to get comment from assistant minister Lenora Qereqeretabua were unsuccessful when this edition went to print.
