There is video evidence to show the two brothers were assaulted in Labasa over the weekend, according to Acting Commissioner of Police, Aporosa Lutunauga.
This follows a video going viral of Epeli Asaisea appeared to be intoxicated, being punched and kicked repeatedly along the main road as bystanders watched in horror.
Mr Lutunauga said the video portrayed a sad reality of a community that resorts to violence to address any issue.
“The video evidence is already there, and the victim had done his medical report,” he said.
He said he had directed a team to investigate and get everyone involved.
“A dispute over an issue does not give anyone the right to physically assault any person.”
He and his younger brother were beaten up after he had claimed to have accidentally smashed the glass of the boot.
Mr Asaisea, Akuila Matawaqa, said the glass of the vehicle his brother was claimed to have smashed was a pari, an illegal operator, and not a taxi.
“We were picked with three others from Siberia to be dropped at home in Malau. Epeli had been asked to sit in the boot of a vehicle and had fallen asleep when he accidentally smashed the boot window,” he said
Mr Matawaqa said there were a total of five passengers in the vehicle.
Questions sent to the Fiji Roads Authority on the usage of private vehicles by taxi base.
However, the Social Empowerment and Education Programme executive director Chantelle Khan said no matter the circumstances leading up to the incident, violence was never justified.
Ms Khan urged the public to refrain from circulating the video, allow police investigations to proceed, and ensure that all individuals involved, especially the young victim, are treated with fairness and respect.
“As a community, we must reject all forms of violence and address conflicts without resorting to harm.”
