Fiji police question second suspect over murders

5.15 pm

Fiji police are questioning a second suspect in relation to the murders of Fiji Red Cross director John Scott and his New Zealand-born partner, Greg Scrivener.

Police said they had picked up the man yesterday and were holding him at Nabua police station in Suva, where the first suspect, taken in on Tuesday, is also being held for questioning.

Police Commissioner Isikia Savua said they had yet to charge the men, but said he hoped the 30 detectives investigating the killings would have gathered enough evidence to lay murder charges tomorrow.

Mr Scott, 53, and Mr Scrivener, 39, were found hacked to death in Mr Scott's home in Tamavua about 9 am last Sunday.

A post mortem examination released today said the pair died from multiple deep cuts around their necks, face and head.

Police said the first suspect was a sacked special police constable, and the man apprehended yesterday was a known drug dealer who police said had several drug cases pending against him.

The search for the second man was initiated after police received reports that he had recently broken into Mr Scott's residence.

Mr Savua said both men were close associates of the deceased.

Mr Savua said he did not believe the killings were politically motivated and instead hinted that the murders may have been related to the lifestyles of Mr Scott and Mr Schrivener.

However, Mr Savua said police were keeping their options open and continuing their investigations.

Police also wish to question three boys, seen with Mr Scott at the Suva cinema complex the day before he died.

The body of Mr Scrivener, who was born in New Zealand, was expected to arrive in Tauranga today.

His funeral will be in Tauranga on Saturday.

- FIJI VILLAGE NEWS

Feature: the Fiji coup

Full text plus audio:
Court of Appeal upholds constitution

Full text: