The officer who was in the middle of a Police investigation after he was captured in a video brutally punching and kicking a male teenager has left Tonga on an “approved” holiday leave, Police statement says.
No further action at this stage until the officer returns to Tonga, according to the statemnt.
The video emerged after two Tongan police officers were last month sent to jail for the manslaughter of New Zealand police Constable Kali Fungavaka who was beaten to death in a cell at the Nuku’alofa Central police station.
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Video: Tonga investigation into Police brutality
The videoed incident occurred after the teenager allegedly king-hit a Tonga college student who was with friends watching rugby football match.
The police officer ran to the help of the student but then he started punching and kicking the teenager finishing him off with a kick to the head.
Tonga’s Acting Police Commissioner, Pelenatita Fe’ao said: the “results of this investigation also revealed that no official complaint was lodged and criminal charges will be withheld until the suspect who’s a Police Constable in his 30’s return to Tonga”.
“The video was brought into the attention of the Police Commissioner on Wednesday 6 which prompted an immediate Investigation, and while trying to confirm the identity of the suspect it was revealed that he has already departed on approved leave overseas".
