In a Suva court on Tuesday, serious allegations of assault arose amidst drug-related charges faced by three foreign nationals. Dai Ming Hui, Yu Yuan Feng, and Zhou Lan are accused of unlawfully possessing 39.5 grams of methamphetamine and suspected proceeds of criminal activity.
During a court session overseen by Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza, defense attorney Shirley Tivao expressed grave concerns about the treatment of her clients while in custody. She alleged that the second accused was assaulted by a prison officer named Moape, and reported that the first and third accused developed skin rashes during their time in the remand center.
The defense’s request for medical reports stemmed from a need to evaluate the health and safety of the accused and to determine if further medical care was required. Tivao advocated for the individuals to be relocated to a police station to officially report the alleged assault.
In reply, the State clarified that the defense could file the complaint on behalf of the accused. Additionally, there was a request for the medical reports to be provided by the next court appearance to ensure the well-being of the accused parties.
Magistrate Hamza mandated that the medical reports be ready for the upcoming hearing and instructed the State to liaise with the Fiji Corrections Service for compliance. State prosecutor Eoghn Samisoni also requested a court order for the second accused to unlock his mobile phone to assist with the ongoing police investigation.
The case has been postponed until January 14, with all three accused remaining in custody until that date.
These allegations highlight ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of detainees in the justice system, prompting questions about the conditions within detention facilities. The court’s order for medical reports reflects a positive step towards ensuring the accountability and welfare of individuals in custody, fostering hope for improvements in their treatment.