Asian national on murder charge gets bail

One of the six Asian nationals accused of murdering a fellow countryman outside a Suva nightclub in April this year has been granted bail for medical reasons.

Hu Jian Zhan’s medical report was submitted to Justice Salesi Temo when he appeared with five others - Yang Xiu Qi, Bill Hao, Liu Chuan Wei, Veng Seong Tam and Dai Jian – at the High Court in Suva today.

The six men had been remanded in custody since April without bail.

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) lawyer Pita Bulimainavalu told the Court today that investigations still continue and that substantive measures are being taken as far as disclosures are concerned.

Bulimainavalu said they are also awaiting the final post-mortem report and coloured photographs from the scene of the crime.

Two of the accused have already confessed to the murder but no judgement has been made yet. DPP lawyer has also requested written confession from the two.

The state requires accomplished statements by defence, Bulimainavalu said.

Meanwhile, defence lawyer for Zhan who was granted bail, Samanunu Vaniqi requested Justice Temo if she could present one of her key witnesses via Skype-link since the person had returned to China.

The first verdict of the hearing will be made on the 8 February 2013.

By Indrani Krishna