Colonel Penioni (Ben) Naliva has been appointed - as deputy commander of the Australian Army's 7th Brigade, making him second in command of about 3500 Australian troops. Photo: ADF
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) "stands by" one of its senior officers, who is taking on a role with the Australian Army, despite the officer being accused of committing human rights abuses.
This week, The Australian first reported that Colonel Penioni (Ben) Naliva has been appointed as deputy commander of the Australian Army's 7th Brigade, making him second in command of about 3500 Australian troops.
However, the right-hand man to former Fiji coup leader and prime minister Frank Bainimarama, according to the newspaper, is alleged to have been involved in the violent beatings of two Fijian politicians in 2006.
"In another case, the UN Special Rapporteur named then-major Naliva, in a report to the Human Rights Council, as being involved in the savage beating of a Suva businessman that left him unable to walk," according to The Australian's frontpage report on published on Monday.
"In a third case, a prominent youth activist says Naliva was present when he was detained and tortured in 2006, and did nothing to stop it."
But RFMF Military Assistant to Chief of Defence Lieutenant Colonel Eroni Duaibe has rejected the accusations labelled against Colonel Naliva.
He told RNZ Pacific most of the allegations had "come about through social media platforms" posted by "disgruntled individuals".
"There has not been any formal reports that have been lodged with Fiji police in regards to this," Lieutenant Colonel Duaibe said.
"We stand by Colonel Naliva and his appointment with the Australian defence."
Colonel Penioni (Ben) Naliva has been appointed - as deputy commander of the Australian Army's 7th Brigade, making him second in command of about 3500 Australian troops. Photo: ADF
According to The Australian, following inquiries about the accusations, "[Australian] Defence is understood to be working with the Fijian government to determine 'appropriate next steps'".
"Defence is aware of reporting regarding Colonel Penioni Naliva. Defence takes any allegations of wrongdoing seriously," it reported.
"Colonel Naliva has not been charged over any of the allegations and The Australian is not suggesting they are true, only that they have been made and are now the subject of inquiry by the Australian government."
RNZ Pacific has contact the Australian Defence, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Fijian Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Commission for comment.
Australia has committed to grow its defence and security cooperation with Fiji - under the Vuvale Partnership agreement signed last October, with increasing co-deployments.
The appointment comes after Colonel Naliva graduated from the Australian War College last year.
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie has also called on the Australian government to explain who appointed Colonel Naliva to the role when he is facing such allegations.
