Three police officers charged with an act intended to cause grievous harm have been acquitted, while a fourth officer has been ordered to answer the charge in the High Court.
Justice Dane Tuiqereqere ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the case against Ratu Rasili Raseresere to proceed, but found no case to answer for Daniel Bal, Savenaca Tora and Isikeli Votonisiga.
The three acquitted men were represented by Sherani Law, while Mr Raseresere was represented by Legal Aid. The ruling followed the prosecution’s closure of its case after calling 11 witnesses during the trial, which began on October 13.
The court heard that the alleged incident occurred in Navua, where the four accused were in a police vehicle on February 2, 2025. According to the prosecution’s evidence, Mr Raseresere assaulted the complainant before he was taken to a nearby police station.
The prosecution alleged that Mr Raseresere later punched the complainant several times while he was in the police station. Two other witnesses, gave evidence that they saw Mr Raseresere assault the complainant.
The complainant was subsequently taken to hospital, where he was found to have sustained two jaw fractures. Following the prosecution’s case, the defence made a submission of no case to answer on behalf of the accused.
Justice Tuiqereqere found that the prosecutions testimony provided sufficient evidence for Raseresere to answer the charge. However, he found no evidence that the other three accused had assaulted the complainant, encouraged the assault or assisted Mr Raseresere in committing the alleged offence.
The judge said their presence at the scene, or their alleged involvement in escorting the complainant to the police station, did not by itself establish participation in the offence. He was not satisfied that the prosecution had established a case against Bal, Tora and Votonisiga and acquitted them.
Mr Raseresere will be required to answer the charge as the proceedings continue.
