Jone Vakarisi
Photo: Mai TV
More allegations of torture by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) are emerging in local media amid growing calls for an independent investigation into the death of a man in military custody.
Jone Vakarisi, notorious for drug- and gang-related violence, died on 16 April after being taken in by the RFMF for questioning regarding a “national security investigation”.
Vakarisi was reportedly linked to – or among a group of individuals – who attempted to “undermine security at the RFMF installations” by trying to access military assets.
The Fiji military had initially attributed his death to “a medical emergency” and “pre-existing condition”.
But after the Fiji police confirmed on Tuesday that Vakarisi’s death had been classified as murder, the RFMF was forced to issue a public “correction of record”.
Police have also confirmed that “several individuals” have given statements, but “no one has been taken in as a suspect” yet.
Vakarisi’s sister told RNZ Pacific on Wednesday that he was heard begging for his life at the military headquarters in the capital in Suva prior to his death.
In The Fiji Times’ frontpage stories on Thursday and Friday titled “Survivour details ‘torture'” and “‘Cries for mercy'”, one of the men taken in by the RFMF described the ordeal at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks.
Kelepi Komaisavou told the newspaper the men were stripped and forced to crawl along hot tarmac while being assaulted.
He also claims he was made to drink out of a pothole with a soldier’s boot on his neck.
“We were still sorting out our harvest when the army personnel came and threatened us to get in the car,” Komaisavou was quoted as saying.
Fijian authorities have yet to publicly respond in detail to the claims. However, Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua has warned that no one should try to undermine military security.
“You have to be stupid to break into the military’s facilities,” he was quoted as saying by the Fiji Sun.
Tikoduadua also told local media that Fiji police, backed by the military, continue to ramp up a nationwide crackdown on illicit drugs.
A Fiji military spokesperson told RNZ Pacific it would be inappropriate to comment while a police murder investigation is underway.
The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission and the Fiji Law Society (FLS) have issued statements calling for prompt, independent and impartial investigations.
“Allegations of torture or ill-treatment in custody are extremely serious and must also be thoroughly investigated,” the FLS said on Wednesday.
‘Very concerning situation’
Human rights watchdog Amnesty International is also calling for an independent investigation.
Kate Schuetze told Pacific Waves Fiji has a history of not taking torture and mistreatment in custody seriously.
“This has created a very concerning situation of a death in custody that needs to be independent, impartially, effectively and promptly investigated,” she said.
“Our concerns in relation to this case arise from the fact that the family have shared the autopsy report online, which has been confirmed by the police, and also complicated by the fact that we saw very confusing and inaccurate statements coming from the military early on.”
According to the autopsy report, Vakarisi suffered from blunt force trauma and injuries to both his head and his chest which resulted in his death.
Schuetze said swift justice is needed for the families involved.
“What we are calling for is that any death in custody must be met with an independent, impartial and prompt investigation, and that the results of that investigation must be made public.”
