Suspect in custody for Fiji murders

Fiji police have arrested a man in relation to the murders of Fiji Red Cross director John Scott and his New Zealand-born partner, Greg Scrivener.

A 20-year-old man was arrested early yesterday morning after police raided his home in Tamavua, near Suva.

The man was being questioned by police but has not been charged.

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

Police said today the arrested man was an associate of Mr Scrivener's and a former special police constable - a temporary police officer and not a permanent employee.

Police are reported to be searching for a second person in relation to the case - a suspected drug dealer who may have broken into the Tamavua residence.

Police Commissioner Isikia Savua said a cane knife, believed to be the murder weapon, was found at the premises and the murderer also left bloody footprints at the scene.

He said the police ruled out robbery as the motive because a large sum of money was found untouched in the house.

They also discounted the theory that Scott may have been murdered to prevent him testifying in the treason case against George Speight.

Director of the Public Prosecutions, Jo Naiguilevu said Mr Scott had declined to be a state witness in the treason case, which begins Monday, because he did not want to jeopardise the neutrality of the Red Cross.

- FIJI VILLAGE NEWS

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