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 after the medical report said he is mentally unstable and unfit to stand trial.
28-year-old Tawase appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this morning and will appear again on 13th August.
Magistrate Prasad says the doctor’s report cited that Tawase is suffering from schizophrenia with substance abuse of marijuana.
He says he also agrees that Tawase is unfit to plead, citing the doctor’s report which states that Tawase does not meet five of the six criteria required to stand trial.
The Magistrate has ordered that Tawase be remanded in custody but is to be taken to Saint Giles Hospital to receive his medication when needed and then return.
He says Tawase cannot be put in Saint Giles as he has already absconded from there before and he is a threat to the community.
Magistrate Prasad has also requested Police Prosecution to bring Tawase’s guardians to court on 13th August so he can speak with them.
He says after the 14 days, Tawase will be reassessed by doctors to see if his situation has changed.
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.
