Former Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Kalaveti Ravu, has been granted permission to change his bail conditions to allow him to travel to China. Ravu faces charges of abuse of office, along with Tekata Toaisi, the regional manager of the Ministry.
The charges stem from allegations that between July 25, 2023, and August 31, 2023, Ravu intervened in the Ministry of Fisheries’ investigation regarding the illegal trade of prohibited beche-de-mer species. Toaisi is accused of aiding Ravu in these actions while employed at the Ministry.
Ravu requested to modify his bail to attend a workshop in China as part of his duties as a member of parliament later this month. Magistrate Jeremaia Savou instructed Ravu to submit his travel plans to the court registry and notify the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) before his passport is returned and the departure order is lifted.
FICAC lawyer Lavenia Ravuikadavu indicated that she had no objections to the bail modification. She also reported that a pre-trial conference had been held with both defendants’ legal representatives.
The trial is scheduled to take place from February 3 to 7 next year, where FICAC plans to present 12 witnesses and 39 documentary pieces of evidence. The case has been adjourned until January 7 for preliminary matters.