A man accused of allegedly raping and sexually assaulting an airline crew member in Fiji has landed in court, as new allegations emerge over the incident.
Ilaisa Tanoa, 24, was taken to the Nadi Magistrate’s Court on Monday in a police vehicle wearing a brightly colored shirt.
Tanoa was charged on Saturday following the alleged rape and sexual assault of a 21-year-old Virgin Australia flight crew member on New Year’s Day in Nadi, an international gateway to Fiji’s most popular tourist destinations.
She had gone with colleagues to a nightclub district before a member was allegedly assaulted outside the popular Bar One nightclub and the 21-year-old was allegedly sexually assaulted in a separate incident.
Tanoa had allegedly offered the young woman a ride back to her hotel, posing as a taxi driver, Daily Telegraph reported.
The woman, who had been separated from her friends, was trying to return home after the nightclub locked out at 1am.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Bar One issued a statement Sunday following the incident.
Ilaisa Tanoa, 24, was escorted to Nadi Magistrate’s Court on Monday in a police vehicle dressed in a brightly colored shirt.
He covered his head with the palm of his hand as he entered the courtroom.
“We would like to address the recent incident involving two Virgin Airlines crew members,” the club said in a social media post.
‘While we recognize the seriousness of the situation, we believe it is important to clarify that this incident did not take place inside Bar One or in the vicinity of our establishment.
‘Virgin Airlines crew are regular customers of Bar One and we have never experienced similar incidents in the past, so it is disheartening to see our establishment portrayed in a negative light due to circumstances not directly related to our bar. ‘
The alleged incident occurred during ongoing debates over Fiji’s lockout laws, which require businesses to close at 1am, replacing the previous 5am closing time.
Local politicians are concerned that these incidents could damage Fiji’s tourism-dependent economy, especially after seven visitors, including four Australians, fell ill after drinking cocktails at a five-star resort in December.
But the Australian government’s tourism website has not changed its advice for the Pacific nation.
It maintains that Australians should take normal safety precautions and highlights the potential for crime, noting that the greatest risk occurs in urban areas and at night.
Virgin crew members stayed at their hotel near Nadi International Airport after the alleged incidents and the airline sent support staff.
Government advice for travel to Fiji has not changed after alleged assaults on Virgin Australia crew
The crew members returned to Australia last week.
The alleged incidents came just weeks after Fiji attracted negative headlines around the world when seven tourists, including four Australians, were hospitalized after drinking pina coladas at a bar at the luxury Warwick Resort last month.
Four Australian women aged between 18 and 56 ended up in critical condition in hospital after consuming the drinks at the five-star resort.
They suffered nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms, with one victim’s friend telling Daily Mail Australia she was “frothing at the mouth” and having seizures.
A toxicology report had ruled out the cocktails and the origin of the poisoning remains a mystery.
“I can confirm that no illicit substances or methanol were found in the ingredients or liquor samples,” said Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka.
‘All affected tourists and locals have already been discharged and have fully recovered. This is a significant relief.”
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National Support Service for Reparation and Sexual Abuse 1800 211 028