No word from Ben after raid

Listen to this article:

Ben Padarath. Picture: FILE/FELIX CHAUDHARY

THE family of outspoken political activist Ben Padarath says they have not been able to reach him since Monday night after his Lautoka house was reportedly raided by officials from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Speaking to this newspaper about their late-night ordeal, a close family member said all communication devices were taken away by the officers, including that of his partner Taina Rokotabua.

“All we know is that he was taken to Suva last night (Monday) after they came home,” said the family member.

“We were all at home when they came in and they were talking to Ben and I don’t know what they are investigating him for.

“Hopefully, we will be able to know more tomorrow (today).”

A team from this newspaper went to his residence late yesterday afternoon and witnessed Ms Rokotabua being transported by three men in an unmarked blue four-wheel drive vehicle. The family member said, “they just came and took her”.

Questions sent to FICAC remained unanswered when this edition went to press.

Meanwhile, police spokeswoman Savaira Tabua said police were not involved in any raid to do with Mr Padarath.

Attempts to get comments from the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission proved futile.

Social media has been flooded by posts of the reported raid as political figures and supporters called for Mr Padarath’s release.

Array
(
    [post_type] => post
    [post_status] => publish
    [orderby] => date
    [order] => DESC
    [update_post_term_cache] => 
    [update_post_meta_cache] => 
    [cache_results] => 
    [category__in] => 1
    [posts_per_page] => 4
    [offset] => 0
    [no_found_rows] => 1
    [date_query] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [after] => Array
                        (
                            [year] => 2023
                            [month] => 12
                            [day] => 29
                        )

                    [inclusive] => 1
                )

        )

)

No Posts found for specific category