The 31-year-old farmer of Nadera, who was arrested in Nadi on Monday night for allegedly causing harm and publicly humiliating certain individuals through social media, has been charged and will be produced in the Suva Magistrates Court today.
Police say he is charged with causing harm by posting electronic communication, criminal intimidation, and indecently insulting or annoying a person.
The charges were sanctioned by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP). A report was lodged against him by a prominent member of the government at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in Suva.
Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu, urges social media users to exercise their right to freedom of speech and expression, but with caution.
He says the CID Cybercrime Unit had traced the suspect with the assistance of the Namaka Police and managed to arrest him from an apartment in Martintar, Nadi.
Tudravu warns that the Fiji Police Force now has the capabilities to trace and locate individuals who go online spreading hatred and harmful messages.
He also says that police are working closely with the Online Safety Commission Fiji in promoting online safety for everyone.
