The Fiji Corrections Service has confirmed it will refer the case involving the alleged assault of a remand inmate at the Suva Remand Centre to Police for investigation.
This follows a preliminary internal inquiry that is expected to take two to three days.
FCS says it will also keep the inmate’s wife informed of any developments.
In addition to the Police investigation, FCS is conducting its own internal inquiry, and findings will be submitted to Police as per established procedures.
The Corrections Service says the case involves multiple serious issues beyond the alleged assault, including contraband and extortion.
Investigators are looking into how a mobile phone was accessed inside the remand facility, who was responsible for the assault, how the perpetrators knew the inmate’s wife would send money, and the use of M-PAiSA from within a correctional environment.
Due to the complex and interconnected nature of the case, FCS says the scope of the investigation is extensive.
This follows allegations by a 32-year-old woman who claims her 45-year-old husband was assaulted by three inmates during a live video call from inside the Suva Remand Centre last Friday.
She says one of the inmates held the phone while the others allegedly assaulted her husband and demanded money through multiple calls.
The woman says she sent $100 via M-PAiSA out of fear, later reported the matter to the centre, and blocked the contact numbers.
She claims her husband was found with a swollen eye, cuts and bruises, and was later taken to hospital.
She also alleges he was stabbed with a sharpened toothbrush, which Police have allegedly recovered.
The inmate was returned to the remand centre the following day.
According to the woman, he had only one day remained in remand at the time of the incident.
Police say the Corrections Service investigation is still in its initial stages.
