Four months on, still no charges in death of man in Fiji military custody

Fiji's police force has yet to lay charges four months after Jone Vakarisi died while in military custody. Vakarisi, 37, who had a history of legal troubles, died on April 17 after being taken for questioning by soldiers at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces headquarters in Suva.

Initially, the military commander attributed Vakarisi's death to pre-existing conditions. However, this explanation was later retracted when a leaked death certificate revealed significant blunt force trauma to his head and chest, prompting police to classify the death as murder. Vakarisi's sister reported that he pleaded for his life before allegedly being beaten to death.

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I can state that people need to trust the process that we are following. Investigation has been done.

Despite admissions of fault from the military commander, who described the incident as unintentional and regrettable, no one has been charged. The murder investigation remains open, with the police commissioner stating that investigators are finalizing interviews and evidence. He has urged public patience as the joint police and military taskforce continues its work.

Human rights organizations have criticized the prolonged lack of charges, citing a "culture of impunity" within Fiji's military. Amnesty International has noted that the military's shifting explanations surrounding Vakarisi's death raise more questions than answers, highlighting concerns about accountability and transparency in the ongoing investigation.

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more questions than answers