A rape case involving four men who allegedly raped a thirteen-year-old boy at a village in Taveuni began in the Suva High Court in the last hour.

The four appeared before Judge Justice Salesi Temo.

They allegedly committed the offense between November 2015 and January 2016.

Before their trial proper started the Prosecution lawyer informed the court that the third accused tried to interfere with one of their witnesses this morning.

He told the witness to consider their blood relation and also asked for forgiveness.

Therefore Prosecution made an application for the accused to be remanded in custody.

Defense lawyer told the court that his client was not aware that he cannot interfere with the witness and the comments made by him was just a passing gesture and not a serious conversation between the two.

Judge Temo ordered the accused to be remanded in custody saying this will be a warning to other accused persons who are trying to sabotage the trial.