Fiji police are questioning a key suspect over the alleged rape and robbery of Virgin Australia airline staff after a gang of youths are believed to have waited for them outside a nightclub on New Year’s Eve.
Daily Mail Australia can now reveal authorities were already aware of the Pacific island nation’s sinister underbelly, which has left unsuspecting travelers easy targets for criminals in the resort town of Nadi.
The city’s Martintar suburb is a renowned drug haven littered with used syringes and the area has been at the center of a series of recent assault and robbery allegations.
The two Virgin Australia victims were allegedly attacked while walking down the street when they failed to find a taxi after leaving Bar One nightclub.
Many taxis are refusing to work in the area after 10pm following a series of brutal robberies of taxi drivers, leaving revelers stranded.
“They are like sitting ducks as they often have no way home or to hotels before dawn,” one Fijian local told Daily Mail Australia.
‘A taxi driver was murdered last year and many others were robbed, so they refused to work late until the government does more to protect them.
“Not only has it caused problems for people returning to their hotels, but it has also left groups of very drunk men wandering the streets.
A female Virgin Australia flight crew member was allegedly sexually assaulted outside the Bar One nightspot in Nadi, on Fiji’s west coast, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, while a male colleague was assaulted and had have to go to the hospital to receive treatment for a facial injury
The alleged incidents occurred after a night out at the popular nightclub (pictured) to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
The Fijian government imposed an earlier closing time, from 1am to 6am during the holidays, to try to tackle the crime wave.
“There were safety concerns months ago, so the government changed the club’s operating hours to close at 1am on New Year’s Eve instead of 6am as usual.
“Attacks on tourists are not new, but they have been covered up whenever possible.”
In May 2023, a Japanese tourist reported being raped on her second night in the country.
The 26-year-old occupational therapist was staying at a homestay in Nadi when she was attacked in her bedroom.
The young woman had visible wound marks on her neck and leg, which she gave as evidence to the police, who took her to the hospital for examination.
An Australian friend of the victim, Janinemaree Atkinson, has since spoken of her disappointment with the Fiji police investigation.
“We have been fighting for many weeks to get justice, but we have received no help,” said retired teacher Atkinson.
Japanese tourist claims she was raped on second night in Fiji but no arrests have been made
Victims are frustrated by the investigation.
Fiji’s deputy prime minister, Viliame Gavoka, is concerned about the impact the incident will have on the resort island’s reputation as an international holiday spot.
‘The actions of the Fiji Police at this time are a complete disappointment. They did all the DNA and pregnancy tests.
‘There was a lot of trauma for this young Japanese woman. She is an innocent tourist who had a traumatic experience in Fiji.
Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew said: “We confirm that a report has been submitted to the police and the case is currently under investigation.”
In August 2023, Fiji stepped up security in the nightclub area of the capital, Suva, after the governments of New Zealand, the United States and Canada issued security warnings.
The three governments warned of an increase in assaults, robberies and sexual assaults in popular bar areas.
However, Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Viliame Gavoka, insists: ‘Fiji is a safe place.
‘It was specific to certain areas of Suva. Otherwise the whole country will be safe,” Mr Gavoka said.
‘Our Prime Minister had said publicly that Fiji is one of the safest countries in the world.
“We respect what they (the embassies) have to do, but they highlighted the fact that we need not worry because Fiji is firmly at level one, the lowest warning level for any country.”
Yesterday, Mr Gavoka expressed his solidarity with the Virgin Australia cabin crew victims and said a suspect, “known to police”, had been questioned in relation to both encounters.
The victims had just celebrated the arrival of the New Year when a crew member was assaulted and his companion was sexually assaulted.
“There were two separate alleged incidents, one of alleged robbery and the other of alleged sexual assault involving two different crew members,” Mr Gavoka said.
‘A suspect known to police for the alleged sexual assault has been questioned. The investigation continues.”
Gavoka also confirmed that Virgin Australia crew members had not been detained during the investigation, although they had been asked to ensure they were contactable and could assist police with their ongoing investigations.
“We refer to reports from various international media outlets claiming that the crew is ‘detained’; this is incorrect and false,” he said.
‘The crew, who are in good health, are being accommodated in a local hotel which is the designated accommodation for the crew during stopovers.
‘Their headquarters also advised the three crew members to remain in the vicinity of the hotel to ensure they could be contacted and assist with police investigations.
“They should return home before the end of this week.”