A man has been charged with rape and sexual assault over an alleged attack on a Virgin Australia crew member celebrating the new year in Fiji.
Fiji police confirmed the man was questioned and charged on Saturday and will face Nadi Magistrates Court on Monday.
Members of a Virgin Australia crew were allegedly assaulted in Nadi, Fiji.Credit: The Fiji Times
The alleged incident is said to have occurred in the early hours of January 1 in a nightclub area of Nadi.
In a separate incident, a male Virgin crew member was allegedly robbed and suffered facial injuries outside Bar One nightclub in Martintar, a district of Nadi, the same night. No charges have been brought in this case.
Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew said the suspects were alleged to be locals, Fiji Village News reported.
Police will prepare a report for Monday’s court hearing.
Virgin Australia said it was aware of an incident in Nadi and its focus was on its team members’ wellbeing.
Staff were sent from Australia to provide support, and the airline’s operations in Fiji were not affected.
Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka, also minister for tourism and civil aviation, called the incident regrettable in a previous statement.
“Regrettably, incidents like this can happen anywhere, and Fiji is not immune,” he said. “We, as always, remind tourists to exercise caution in nightclub areas and late at night.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.
The federal government advises Australians to “exercise normal safety precautions” in Fiji, the lowest of its four travel advice levels on the Smartraveller website.
“Crime in Fiji includes robbery, theft, violent assault, sexual assault and home invasions,” the advice states. “Most crime is opportunistic. The highest risk is in urban areas and at night.”
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