FIJI MILITARY SENDING MURDER SUSPECTS TO UNAMI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SUVA 000502 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2017 TAGS: MARR PREL PHUM KPKO FJ UN IZ SUBJECT: FIJI MILITARY SENDING MURDER SUSPECTS TO UNAMI DUTIES? Classified By: Amb. Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B,D). RFMF deploying murder suspects to Iraq -------------- ¶1. (C) We have received information that o/a Oct. 27 the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) will deploy to UNAMI in Iraq ten soldiers who allegedly participated in the beating deaths of two civilians early this year, the only confirmed killings related to the military "clean up" campaign after last December's coup. Ever since the beatings, the RFMF, the Fiji Police, and the Public Prosecutor Office have supposedly been investigating who did what, and consulting on what charges might be laid in what venue. It has appeared pretty obvious that the culprits were identified very early on. The endless to-ing and fro-ing since has brought repeated pleas from the families of the victims, the media, and human-rights activists for appropriate criminal trials and convictions. The beating deaths: what happened -------------- ¶2. (C) The motive for RFMF soldiers picking up Nimilote Verebasaga on Jan. 4 has never been revealed, though some suggest he was believed to be engaged in criminal activities in his part of Tailevu Province. After he was beaten, he was taken to the RFMF's Queen Elizabeth Barracks and then to Suva's CWM hospital where he was declared dead. The military reportedly picked up Sakiusa Rabaka in the Nadi area on marijuana-related suspicions in early February. He returned home the following morning badly beaten, described his ordeal, and complained of a severe headache. Subsequent medical efforts to save his life failed. He died on Feb. 24. The alleged culprits -------------- ¶3. (C) This week we obtained the names of the one RFMF suspect in the death of Verebasaga: Maika Vuniwawa (Private), and 9 RFMF suspects in the beating of Rabaka: Taione Lua (NCO); Patrick Nayacalagilagi (Private); Ulaiasi Radika (Private); Etonia Nadura (Private); Ratunaisa Toutou (Private); Joeli Lesavua (Private); Jona Nareki (Private); Ilaisa Kurimavua (Private); and Napolioni Naulia (Private). All ten reportedly are to depart for Iraq Oct. 27, and we are told the RFMF moved up the departure date, which was initially scheduled for a few weeks from now. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) In January, media reports suggested a group of soldiers had grabbed Verebasaga, so the suggestion that only one soldier was responsible for his death strains credibility. Rabaka's first-hand account before his death made RFMF involvement clear in his case. One Fiji Police officer was implicated, too. Commodore Bainimarama has stated publicly that the RFMF and the interim government (IG) would not obstruct justice in the cases; however, the military's actions have certainly impeded the process. There have been rumors for months that the RFMF had sent some or all of the perpetrators off to peacekeeping duties in MFO Sinai or Iraq to hinder investigations. The planned deployment of the ten soldiers this weekend, if it takes place, would clarify rumor into reality. Action(s) -------------- ¶5. (C) Since the deployments are to UNAMI, we flag the matter to USUN for possible referral to UNPKO. We are also including the ten names on Embassy Suva's list for Leahy Amendment sanctions. Please advise if further Embassy Suva action is advisable. DINGER