POLICE have identified suspects in the alleged beating and torture of Lautoka businessman Rajneel Singh.
Spokewoman Ana Naisoro said while there was a breakthrough in the case, details surrounding the identification could not be made public as yet.
“As the acting commissioner has stated while the identities of the alleged persons are known, at this stage we cannot release more details as investigations are ongoing,” Ms Naisoro said.
Mr Singh alleged he was transported by men he believed to be police officers from the Ba Police Station last Friday afternoon.
He claimed he was asked to present himself at the station to make a statement regarding the discovery of sensitive documents outlining a plot to overthrow the Government and remove senior government ministers.
Mr Singh alleged he was beaten, tortured and left for dead in a dense forest area in Sigatoka and was rescued by a truck driver early last Saturday.
Acting Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho requested military assistance to transport Mr Singh from Sigatoka to the Lautoka Hospital and who was placed under military guard at the Lautoka Hospital.
Brig-Gen Qiliho has directed police officers involved in the alleged beating be sent home.
He said police officers must leave aside all their allegiances — whether it is vanua, religious or political allegiances that could affect their decision-making and the actions they take.
Brig-Gen Qiliho said the force did not condone brutality against citizens and it should not happen at any cost.
“I have told them (police officers) that I will not condone any such actions and addressing brutality is a holistic approach. There’s no excuse,” Brig-Gen Qiliho said.
“As the commissioner now, it is my duty to see it does not happen. We can’t afford to have that happening.”
He said if the need arose for police officers to be sent home for brutality-related offences, it would be done.
“If I need to take that stand, I will take that stand.
“I am known as a straight shooter and I get things right and if it means taking that step, then it has to be taken.”
Chairman of the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Mohamed Ajmeer said Government’s agreement to sign the UN Convention against Torture should be respected by the security forces, especially the Fiji Police Force.
Justice Ajmeer said the act of brutality by the police was “abhorrent”.
He said the case showed that police were not committed to the UN convention.
He said he addressed police officers in Lautoka a week ago, explaining to them about the need to abstain from torture and brutality.
“The officers agreed to abstain from torture and brutality,” Justice Ajmeer said.
“Yet within a week, we see a case of such brutality.”
