Benedito’s mother Viriseini Vakarau confirmed that her son was one of the handcuffed men who was allegedly assaulted by the arresting team which included police officers.
Vakarau said she identified her son lying in the tray of the truck during his arrest which was also part of the video that was leaked in early March.
The 42-year-old mother, who had a stroke in 2005, said she is taking the case further as there has been no significant development since March.
Vakarau said she wants justice as Benedito was already restrained and was still badly beaten up.
She said the two options that they are looking at include police to investigate the members of the arresting team and take them to task, and to find legal avenues through a lawyer to hold the people involved accountable in court.
Vakarau said she knows that her son had done something wrong but she is calling on authorities to take the right step to ensure that everyone involved are held accountable for their actions.
She said they have not seen Benedito since early March as the Corrections Services said they are not allowed to visit him.
We have sent questions to the Corrections Services about this matter.
Meanwhile, Police Chief of Operations ACP Rusiate Tudravu, who had earlier said that they were trying to identify the people in the video, said he will not make any further comments for now.
In a statement released by the police through the Ministry of Information on March 8th this year, it said that the formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the video recording of Fijian security personnel and recaptured prison escapees is continuing.
It also said that there will be no further statement until the investigation is complete and its findings are released by Government.
Story by: Tokasa Rainima
