The Suva Magistrates Court has expressed alarming concerns regarding the welfare of two individuals currently detained following a drug raid. During a recent court session, the defense informed the court that one of the accused, Yu Yuan Feng, was allegedly assaulted at the remand center approximately a month ago. Despite prior notifications to the prosecution during the last court appearance, no official report has surfaced regarding this incident.
Reacting to the allegations, the defense counsel requested that Feng be accompanied to a police station with a translator to formally submit a complaint concerning the assault. The prosecution, however, noted that it lacks clear instructions about the specifics of the alleged assault, including whether it involved another inmate or a remand officer.
Compounding the situation, the second accused, Dai Ming Hui, has reported ongoing medical issues, suffering from skin allergies believed to arise from substandard conditions at the remand center. The defense claims that the treatment provided by medical staff has been ineffective, advocating for an assessment from an external doctor in a hospital setting.
Furthermore, the absence of a translator during the holiday period has obstructed efforts to collect statements from the accused. In response, the prosecution emphasized that the remand medical officers must first determine whether a referral to a hospital is necessary.
The defense has highlighted that such issues impact the constitutional rights of individuals in custody, urging the court to expedite the case to address these critical concerns. Recognizing the gravity of the matters at hand, the court has scheduled the next hearing for the following Wednesday, assuring that the issues will receive substantial attention.
This situation underscores the ongoing difficulties within the remand system and emphasizes the urgent necessity for ensuring the rights and well-being of all individuals in custody, maintaining that they receive appropriate medical care and have their concerns heard.