THE Fiji Police Force says it has started a thorough investigation in relation to a video that has gone online on a number of websites showing two handcuffed men being brutally beaten up by a group of men.
Police spokesman Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said in a press conference at the Government Buildings yesterday that the force was disturbed to see the video that had emerged of what appears to be the abuse of two men understood to be recaptured prisoners.
Insp Sokomuri said a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances has been ordered.
"We want to stress from the outset that no-one should prejudice this investigation by speculating on what happened," Insp Sokomuri said.
"We need to formally establish the precise facts and we are determined to do so," he said.
Insp Sokomuri also stated "that the Fijian security agencies have worked tirelessly over the past few years to give protection and security to ordinary Fijians who suffered through constant home invasions, robberies and violent and wanton crimes".
He said, "These crimes were perpetrated by a group of criminals with impunity and who had absolutely no regard for the lives of ordinary Fijians, respect for basic human dignity and the law."
"That said, what is on the video requires investigation.
"The procedure of investigation we will follow is similar to those followed when complaints have been lodged against police officers in other jurisdictions such as Australia, South Africa, USA and New Zealand," Insp Sokomuri said.
He said they had established that the two men who appear in the video were not the prisoners who escaped from Naboro last year.
Insp Sokomuri said they were not prepared to speculate on the identities of those involved, again so as not to prejudice the investigation.
He said the force was "determined to expeditiously resolve this issue and investigations had already commenced".
He said at this stage some international reporting on the incident was wrong.
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