Nausori Highlands murder

Hopes fears around 'supernatural aspects' of Fiji murders will settle

Yesterday a man named as Muhammad Rheesh Isoof appeared in the Nadi Magistrates Court facing five murder charges for the deaths of Nirmal Kumar, his wife Usha Devi, their daughter Nileshni Kajal and her two daughters Sanah and Samarah Singh.

He also faced an attempted murder charge relating to the one-year-old baby cousin of the two dead girls.

A freelance reporter in Fiji, Lice Movono, said rumours of witchcraft circulating since the discovery of the dead family three weeks ago in the Nausori Highlands, can now be put aside as the case reveals more information.

Fiji 'miracle baby' out of hospital as sorcery rumours abound

Fiji Times journalist Felix Chaudhary said the baby, who survived in the open for at least a day, was recovering well.

However, Mr Chaudhary said the extended family and community remained on edge with rumours of sorcery swirling.

Two New Zealand residents have been questioned by police in relation to the deaths and barred from leaving the country, although no charges have been laid.

The journalist had spoken to the father of two of the deceased and said the man was not aware those questions were reputedly faith healers.