News Court

Man in Samabula temple sacrilege case remanded for safety reasons

He might do something more serious than before - Magistrate

Man in Samabula temple sacrilege case remanded for safety reasons

Samuela Tawase, the man who was involved in the alleged sacrilege case at the Shiv Temple in Samabula has been remanded in custody for another 14 days as it is unsafe to release him now.

Tawase appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this morning.

Magistrate Prasad says in the frame of mind Tawase is in, he might do something more serious than what he did before.

Prasad says he will keep Tawase at the Remand Centre until he is satisfied that the State knows what it intends to do.

He says Fiji does not currently have a proper rehabilitation centre for drug addicts, and Tawase cannot be placed at Saint Giles since he has already run away from there and would end up on the streets again.

When the family asked for Tawase to be released to them on bail, Magistrate Prasad says he will keep him in remand until he is safe to be released.

He says there needs to be proper rehabilitation for Tawase to ensure he takes his medication on time, and unless there are assurances of a suitable place for him, it will not be safe to release him into the public.

This comes as a medical report has found Tawase to be mentally unstable and unfit to stand trial.

Tawase is charged with one count of sacrilege and one count of throwing object.

It is alleged that the 28-year-old jumped the temple fence and destroyed the idols with a crowbar on the the 13th of this month.

The matter has been adjourned until the 26th of August.

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
Scoreboard
9:50PM
Eels vs Panthers
8:00PM
Knights vs Roosters
10:00PM
Rabbitohs vs Storm
1:00PM
Drua vs Waratahs
8:10AM
Ireland vs Argentina
11:40PM
Italy vs South Africa
2:10AM
Scotland vs New Zealand
Full TIme
U20 Northland 24–8 U20 Ovalau
Full TIme
U20 Namosi 12–27 U20 Coastland
Full TIme
U20 Macuata 40–17 U20 Vatukoula
Full Time
Yasawa 67–15 Taveuni
Full Time
Navosa 41–24 Northland
Full Time
Cakaudrove 62–15 Tavua