Allegations of assault emerged in a Suva court on Tuesday, involving three foreign nationals who face serious drug-related charges. Dai Ming Hui, Yu Yuan Feng, and Zhou Lan are jointly accused of unlawfully possessing 39.5 grams of methamphetamine, as well as suspected proceeds from criminal activities.
During a court hearing presided over by Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza, defense counsel Shirley Tivao raised serious concerns regarding the treatment of the accused while in custody. She claimed that the second accused was allegedly assaulted by a prison officer named Moape, while the first and third accused developed skin rashes during their time at the remand center.
The defense’s request for medical reports from the remand center was driven by a need to assess the health and safety of the accused and determine if further medical attention was necessary. Tivao urged that the accused be taken to a police station to formally lodge a complaint about the alleged assault.
In response, the State indicated that the defense counsel could file the complaint on behalf of the accused. Additionally, Tivao requested that the medical reports be presented by the next court date to ensure the well-being of the individuals involved.
Magistrate Hamza ordered that the medical reports be available for the next hearing and instructed the State to coordinate with the Fiji Corrections Service to ensure compliance with this directive. State prosecutor Eoghn Samisoni also sought a court order to compel the second accused to unlock his mobile phone to further aid the police investigation.
The case has been adjourned until January 14, with all three accused remaining in custody until that date.
These developments illustrate ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of individuals in the justice system and raise questions about the conditions within detention facilities. With court orders in place, it is anticipated that further oversight will help address the grievances raised by the defense.