7 to appear in court today for allegedly aiding escapees

As the major investigation continues in relation to the prison breakout, Police have confirmed that seven people will be appearing in court later today for allegedly aiding the five prisoners who escaped last Monday.

Assistant Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu said the four prisoners remain in hospital while the fifth prisoner, Isoa Waqa is in police custody.

Tudravu said their main priority right now is to conduct investigations and produce people in court.  

He has also revealed to Fijivillage that some of the officers involved in the recapture of the four prisoners off the island of Uduya Point last Friday were injured due to resistance by the escapees and the rugged terrain of the island.

However ACP Tudravu said his priority is not to highlight that the officers got injured as that is part of their job and they do face some of these challenges.

He said the injured officers have been told to get their medical reports and further investigations will be conducted soon.  

Tudravu said their next phase is to assess how the arrest was conducted and he stresses that no one is above the law and procedures have to be followed by all the members of the force.

Meanwhile the government confirmed that a series of internal meetings are underway in relation to the recapture of the prisoners who escaped from Naboro Medium facility last Monday.

Permanent Secretary for Information, Sharon Smith-Johns said the government does not condone the excessive force used in the apprehension of the prisoners.
 
Smith-Johns said such incidents are unfortunate and the government makes it clear that behaviour of this nature is unacceptable and they are investigating the circumstances.

She said further details on the investigations will be revealed later.

Story by: Vijay Narayan