Kalaveti Ravu, the former Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, has received approval for a variation of bail that allows him to travel to China. He is facing a charge of abuse of office, alongside Tekata Toaisi, the regional manager of the ministry.
The allegations against Ravu suggest that between July 25 and August 31, 2023, he intervened in an ongoing Ministry of Fisheries investigation related to the illegal trade of banned beche-de-mer species. Toaisi is accused of aiding Ravu in this offense while employed by the ministry.
Ravu requested the bail variation to attend a workshop in China as part of his duties as a parliament member. Magistrate Jeremaia Savou instructed him to provide his travel itinerary to both the court registry and the Fijian Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) before his passport is returned and the departure order is lifted.
FICAC lawyer Lavenia Ravuikadavu did not contest the bail modification and informed the court that a pre-trial conference had already taken place and was communicated to the defense attorneys.
The trial is scheduled to occur from February 3 to February 7 of the following year, during which FICAC plans to present 12 witnesses and 39 pieces of evidence. The case has been postponed until January 7 for further pre-trial activities.