Fiji police

The charge sanctioned by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution relates to a report lodged by the Acting Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa against Sayed-Khaiyum in February.

Police Chief of Intelligence and Investigation ACP Sakeo Raikaci confirmed Sayed-Khaiyum remains in custody and will be produced in the Suva Magistrates Court today.

He said the Police Force would like to again call for patience with regards to the conduct of investigations of these high profile cases.

Fiji Village reports that police had earlier said the body of another child, aged 7, was recovered and the body of the 59-year-old woman that accompanied the two children were recovered on Saturday night.

Police have acknowledged the support of members of the community who came forward to assist with search efforts.

Media reports in Fiji said Police are leading an investigation into the arrival of the yacht and they are being assisted by other stakeholders like the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service border control unit.

FBC News reports the Amadea allegedly entered Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone without proper clearance from relevant authorities.

Fiji’s Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho confirmed to the Fiji Sun that the crew are being questioned in Police custody.

 Police also said the man, in his 60s, had left his village in Lakeba, Lau, on Friday morning.

But his family reported him missing when he didn't return home on Friday evening.

The search continues.

Police said they are aware of a social media post by the deceased who had outlined how he was allegedly assaulted by 'a civilian'.

Ilaisa Batai claimed he was taken in a police vehicle following the incident.

In his post on 10 August, Batai also claimed he was informed by Nausori police officers that the civilian was a police officer.

Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said they were awaiting results of a post-mortem examination to ascertain the cause of Batai's death last week.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said the officers face 24 charges in total.

They consist of assault causing actual bodily harm, an act intended to cause greivous bodily harm, and aiding and abetting.

They're also charged with giving a false statment, conspiracy to defeat justice and intereference with witnesses.

They willl appear in court for first mention on Friday.

In data released this week, the ODPP said 13 police officers have been charged with a range of offences in the past month alone.

The commission said a 32-year-old man was allegedly assaulted and thrown off a bridge by police officers in civilian clothes.

Director Ashwin Raj says investigators from his office visited Naqia and interviewed several villagers who said they had witnessed the alleged incident.

Mr Raj said the team also visited the victim who was recovering in hospital.

He said a report on their findings would be handed over to police.

Mr Raj said no one is above the law and any "use of force by law enforcement agencies must be necessary, proportionate and lawful."

Lautoka and Suva are now lockdown with the latter entering its first day following the announcement of two confirmed cases of the coronavirus there yesterday.

Fiji's Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho said the two officers arrested would be charged and will face internal disciplinary action.

Mr Qiliho warned police officers caught breaking the law would be expelled from the force, including those responsible for social gatherings at the police barracks.

Police say 48 people were taken into custody overnight for breaching the curfew hours from 10pm-5am.

Minister for National Security, Inia Seruiratu, said despite repeated warnings and advisories people were not adhering to the Covid-19 restrictions.

He said this was one of the challenges facing law enforcement officers on the ground.

"There have been arrests throughout the country particularly in the western division. And of course most of them have been charged. We are still appealing to our people to please cooperate with us."

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, seven officers were charged with perjury.

The seven are accused of conspiring by making false statements in relation to a traffic case.

Other cases involved an officer being charged with dangerous driving causing grievous harm, while another member of the force was charged with careless driving.