ONE of three men accused of holding Afroz Khan hostage and killing him in 2024 has become a State witness after being granted immunity.
Senior prosecutor Shaheen Bibi filed a nolle prosequi for Semi Naisevunivai before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu in the High Court in Suva yesterday.
Mr Naisevuniwai was initially charged alongside Edward Nand and Viliame Vulawalu with one count of murder.
The State now alleges Mr Nand and Mr Vulawalu held Khan captive in a van between November 27 and December 27, 2024, while demanding a $10,000 ransom from his wife.
They allegedly instructed Khan’s wife to leave the money in a rubbish bin near Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori. It is alleged that when the ransom was not delivered, Khan was assaulted with a wheel spanner, had his hands and feet bound and his mouth covered before he was drowned in a river in Naitasiri.
The matter is adjourned to September 18 to fix a trial date.
