According to Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew, the suspect will be brought to court this Monday after being detained three days ago. Crew members celebrated New Year’s Eve in Nadi, on the west coast of the island of Viti Levu.
The alleged sexual assault and a separate robbery incident occurred after crew members visited a nightclub in the town, which is among Fiji’s most popular tourist destinations.
“These incidents are unfortunate,” Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister William R. Gavoka said earlier this week.
“Our thoughts and concerns are with the victims, their health and well-being.” Gavoka confirmed that the suspect, known to the police, was questioned in connection with the alleged sexual assault. Hosanna Kabakoro, founder of the indigenously run South Pacific Foundation, which provides access to drinking water for rural and island communities in Fiji, said local people sympathized with the victims of the crime.
“The general feeling here in Fiji is that everyone feels very bad for the victims,” Kabakoro said. Tourism is one of Fiji’s biggest sources of income, accounting for about 40% of the country’s gross domestic product, according to Australian government figures.
“For a country as small as Fiji that relies so heavily on tourism, everyone is worried,” Kabakoro said.
The airline sent support staff to Fiji following reports that three crew members were allegedly assaulted while out at a nightclub in Nadi in the early hours of January 1. The crew members were due to return home before the end of the week.
(Vijesti.ba)
