Man charged with rape of Virgin airlines crew member in Fiji on New Year’s Day
A man has been arrested after a Virgin Australia crew member was allegedly sexually assaulted in Fiji on New Year’s Day.
National
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Authorities in Fiji have arrested a man after a Virgin Australia crew member was allegedly sexually assaulted on New Year’s Day.
The incident allegedly occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning after the plane touched down at Nadi International Airport the previous day.
It’s understood the Virgin crew members have since left the country.
The alleged assailant was taken into custody in Nadi, Fiji, and charged with rape and sexual assault, according to the ABC and local media.
Earlier this week, Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka said in a statement the alleged incidents were regrettable.
“There were two separate alleged incidents, one being alleged theft and the other being alleged sexual assault which affected two different crew members,” he said.
“Regrettably, incidents like this can happen anywhere and Fiji is not immune. We, as always, remind tourists to exercise caution in nightclub areas and late at night.”
The ABC reported police records showed one of the victims was a 21-year old woman from Melbourne who became separated from her workmates while they were out celebrating the New Year in Nadi’s entertainment district.
The Virgin crew members had been enjoying an Afro-Carribean themed night at Bar One just 20 minutes from Fiji’s international airport.
It has been alleged 21-year old woman was allegedly assaulted on the way back to her hotel and another crew member was robbed and received facial injuries in a separate incident.
The man in custody is due to appear in Fiji’s Western Division court on Monday.
Originally published as Man charged with rape of Virgin airlines crew member in Fiji on New Year’s Day
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