Fiji military defied arrest of officer

SUVA – The Fiji military is yet to say if it defied the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions which two weeks ago had ordered the arrest of a military officer wanted in a high profile abuse case.

Pita Matairavula was wanted in connection with the 2012 videotaped beating of two prison escapees.

The Fiji Times reports police went to his home last month, where they were told by his wife he had gone to buy bread but did not return.

It says Matairavula was at the military barracks, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said police were denied entry to the barracks when they tried to arrest him.

His lawyer says there was no attempt by police to arrest his client and that he voluntarily surrendered.

Matairavula was produced in the Nasinu Magistrates’ Court yesterday and remanded in custody on an assault charge after he had skipped two court appearances.

Last week, when police said they were still searching for Mr Matairavula, he appeared in a separate alleged rape case in court in Lautoka where he was granted bail and allowed to leave.

- RNZI