20 Jul 2019

Fiji father claims prison brutality

7:13 am on 20 July 2019

A Fijian father is seeking justice for his son who he claims was allegedly assaulted by prison officers in a Suva remand centre last week.

Atunaisa Mocelutu claims his 20-year-old son was punched on the head and face by corrections officers after contraband was found on him.

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Photo: 123RF

The 60-year-old Suvavou villager told The Fiji Times he questioned his son's status when he noticed visible injuries on his body and he was limping to court.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said Mr Mocelutu had lodged a complaint.

The Fiji Corrections Service did not comment on the matter when contacted but the director of the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Ashwin Raj, said they were looking into the matter.

Earlier this week a judge ordered another man who claimed he was assaulted by prison staff be taken to hospital.

The prisoner's lawyer told Justice Riyaz Hamza his client had been assaulted by guards in his cell three times over 10 days.

Fiji Village reported Justice Hamza saying he didn't understand why some corrections officers continued to assault prisoners.

He said the issue keeps being highlighted.