THIRTY-one-year-old electrician Anare Balewai claims he was assaulted by police officers at the Nakasi Police Station a few weeks ago.
Police have confirmed Mr Balewai has lodged a report while the officers have also filed a complaint against him.
Mr Balewai said he’d been with friends who were drinking when the police arrived.
“They swore at us and I swore back. That was when they began to assault me,” Mr Balewai said.
He said the officers charged him with drunk and disorderly conduct and serious assault, but denied he’d assaulted the officers.
At the police station, Mr Balewai said the officers continued to assault him, including pulling his ears and lifting him up against a wall.
He claimed five officers were involved and that after the alleged assault, they gathered to pray.
In response, Fiji Police confirmed the reports filed by both parties.
“There is a report lodged by the victim as well as a report lodged against the victim for resisting arrest and damaging property,” the police statement read.
“The police were responding to a report of causing trouble as the victim was intoxicated during the time of arrest.
“We can confirm the report against the police officers as well as the report against the victim.”
The authorities have not provided details of the progress of the investigations.
31-year-old Anare Balewai has alleged he was beaten by police in Nakasi last week Saturday. PICTURE: JAKE WISE
