Prisoner Baleiloa Passes Away

The Prisoner who was allegedly brutally assaulted by police officers in Cunningham during his re-capture has died at the CWM Hospital this morning.

CWM Hospital General Manager, Doctor Eloni Tora confirmed to Fijivillage news this afternoon that Josefa Baleiloa passed away at around 4 o'clock this morning. Baleiloa received serious head and body injuries on July 28th when he was re-captured by the Police Strike Back team.

A post Mortem is expected to be conducted later today to determine the cause of his death.

It was earlier confirmed that a directive was issued by the Interim Defence Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau that Baleiloa's case be investigated and those responsible be taken to task.

When contacted just moments ago, Ratu Epeli said he has just been informed of Baleiloa's death and is looking into the matter.

The Fiji Human Rights Commission stresses that matters are now out of their hands and Police must thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding Josefa Baleiloa's death.

FHRC Chairperson Dr. Shaista Shameem said they expect a report from internal police investigations expected to be conducted after they had written to the Interim Minister for Defence Ratu Epeli Ganilau to call for the investigation.