Fiji murder charges to be laid

Fiji police are expected to lay murder charges today for the brutal slaying of Fiji Red Cross director John Scott and his partner, New Zealander Gregory Scrivener.

The Fiji Times reported police commissioner Isikia Savua as saying he had enough evidence to lay the charges.

Mr Savua said the police had two male suspects in custody who were associates of the deceased. One was a former special constable who was discharged from the force last year and the other a known drug dealer who had several drugs cases pending against him.

The police were also looking for three youths who were seen with Mr Scott and Mr Scrivener at the Village Six Cinemas, the day before they were murdered.

Mr Scott, aged 53, and Mr Scrivener, 39, were hacked to death in their bed early on Sunday.

Police have put the deaths down to a "rage killing." Mr Scott and his partner, Mr Scrivener, were homosexuals, who had lived together for the past 15 years.

Police said a key element in the arrest would be the bloodied shoeprints found at the murder scene, which were likely to be those of the killer.

The prints were made by Steeler footwear, an expensive brand in Fiji.

Autopsies revealed the men had multiple and deep cuts to their heads and arms. Both were virtually beheaded and a cane knife was thought to have been used in the attack.

Police have discounted the possibility that Mr Scott was the victim of a political killing, as claimed by Mr Scrivener's sister.

Mr Scott, who was head of the Red Cross, delivered clothes and medicine to hostages during last year's political uprising. He had declined to give evidence at the treason trial of coup leader George Speight.

Mr Scrivener's funeral is to be held in Tauranga tomorrow.