Man charged over alleged rape of Virgin Australia crew member in Fiji

A man has been charged with the alleged rape and sexual assault of a Virgin Australia crew member in Fiji in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

The man “will be produced in court on Monday”, after having been taken into custody on Wednesday, acting police commissioner Juki Fong Chew said in an email that confirmed a report by ABC.

Virgin Australia crew members were celebrating New Year’s Eve in Nadi, on the western side of Viti Levu.

The alleged sexual assault, as well as a separate alleged incident of robbery, occurred after the crew members went to a nightclub in the town, which is one of Fiji’s most popular tourist destinations.

Guardian Australia has contacted the Fiji police for comment.

“These alleged incidents are regrettable,” Fiji’s deputy prime minister, Viliame R Gavoka, said in a statement earlier this week.

“Our thoughts and concerns are with [the alleged victims] and for their health and wellbeing.”

Gavoka said a suspect known to police had been questioned over the alleged sexual assault.

Hosanna Kabakoro, founder of the Indigenous-led South Pacific Foundation which provides clean water access to rural and maritime communities in Fiji, said locals felt awful for the victims of the alleged crimes.

“The general feeling here in Fiji is that everyone feels so bad for the [alleged] victims,” Kabakoro said.

Tourism is one of the largest contributors to Fiji’s wealth, accounting for about 40% of the nation’s gross domestic product, according to the Australian government.

“For a country that’s as small as Fiji, that does rely as heavily on tourism as Fiji does, everyone is worried,” Kabakoro said.

The airline had sent support staff to Fiji amid reports three crew members were allegedly attacked while out clubbing in Nadi in the early hours of 1 January.

The crew members had been expected to return home before the end of the week.

With Australian Associated Press