A trial date is expected to be fixed on December 9 for two men charged with the murder of Afroz Khan, who was allegedly held hostage and killed in 2024.
Edward Nand and Viliame Vulawalu appeared before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu today in the High Court, where they are jointly charged with one count of murder.
The two are alleged to have held Mr Khan captive in a van between November 27 and December 27, 2024, while demanding a $10,000 ransom from his wife.
It is alleged that they instructed Mr Khan’s wife to leave the ransom money in a rubbish bin near Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.
The prosecution alleges that after the ransom was not delivered, Mr 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 pair were initially charged alongside Semi Naisevunivai.
However, on October 30 this year, Senior Prosecutor Shaheen Bibi filed a nolle prosequi in respect of Mr Naisevunivai, who has since become a State witness after being granted immunity.
Mr Vulawalu is represented by the Legal Aid Commission, while Mr Nand is represented by lawyer Ramendra Prasad.
