Bail Variation Denied for Sayed-Khaiyum’s Overseas Medical Travel

Chief Justice Denies Bail Variation for Overseas Medical Travel in Sayed-Khaiyum Case

The Suva High Court has denied former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s request to travel to Singapore for medical tests while on bail. Chief Justice Salesi Temo ruled that the medical reports submitted did not clearly confirm a stroke or life-threatening heart problems that would justify overseas assessment. He noted that the doctors’ explanations were not broken down in a way that would help the court determine the factual validity of the claims.

Sayed-Khaiyum sought a variation of bail to travel overseas to determine the extent and seriousness of his medical condition. The state contended that there was no proof of a stroke or critical illness and argued that the medical evaluation could take place in Fiji. The court also heard arguments that the former A-G appeared healthy and might be trying to avoid appearing at his High Court trial, which was four weeks away.

Justice Temo explained that if the accused were truly gravely ill, he would be the first to allow overseas medical investigation and treatment. He added that judges must weigh facts and law without fear or favour, and that medical evidence was crucial in this kind of bail variation application. He also lamented that, in his 51 years on the bench, the quality of medical reports had room for improvement and urged doctors to present findings in a form that judges can readily understand.

The judge took judicial notice of the Pacific Specialist Healthcare Hospital in Nadi and indicated that if a report from PSH Hospitals had supported the case, he would have been prepared to approve the bail variation. Based on the medical evidence presented so far, he was not persuaded to grant the overseas travel variation. He stated that, subject to concrete evidence, the accused’s medical problems could be investigated and treated in Fiji, with the trial set for September 15 to October 3, 2025. Sayed-Khaiyum must remain in Fiji and appear in court on the trial date.

Defence counsel Gul Fatima indicated they might file further documents if doctors determine the defendant is not well enough to stand trial, noting they still had a month. Justice Temo also pointed out that, as a matter of case management policy under the 2013 Constitution, criminal cases should be disposed of within two years, a consideration given the case’s long progression. Sayed-Khaiyum, who faces a count of abuse of office and is charged alongside former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem, now awaits the next steps as the matter was adjourned to September 10 for mention.

Commentators and supporters of the defense said they would consider next steps if doctors advised continued treatment or evaluation. The court’s ruling reflects a balancing act between ensuring access to necessary medical care and maintaining timely, orderly proceedings in a high-profile case.

What this means going forward:
– The trial schedule remains September 15 to October 3, 2025, with the accused required to stay in Fiji.
– The health issue remains a factor, but the court has indicated local evaluation and treatment are acceptable where appropriate.
– If new medical developments arise, the bail issue could be revisited.
– The case continues to be watched as a test of how health considerations intersect with the obligation to attend court.

Summary in Fijian
Na iVakasumataki ena Vosa Vakaviti

Na suva High Court e sega ni tukuna na veivosoti i vakarau voli ni bail me lako ki Singapore me baleta na veitarogi ni mate vei Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, ni raica ki na vakadidike ni vei dokita e sega ni tukuni vinaka ni rau tavailea kei na veika e dodonu me vakadeitaki. Sa tukuna o Jisu Temo ni na caura na i vakasamataki e vuqa na vei dokita, ka se goleva na i tutu ni vei vakatagi vakadidike. E tukuna talega na matua ni mataivalu ni i tukutuku me baleta na matavuvale ni veika e gadrevi, me mai lewena na rogo ni masu ni vakadidike.

E kerea o Sayed-Khaiyum na veisau ni bail me soro ki Singapore me raica na veika e baleti koya, ia na kaliva ni mate e vakadeitaka ni sa rawa ni raica tiko ga yani e Fiji. Na matanaki ni bose e tukuna ni na rawa ni ratou vakavurea na mate ki na vanua o Fiji, ka sa vakaraitaka talega na itavi ni yabaki ni vakadidike kei na vakatulewa ni dua na mataivalu ni lewe ni yasayasa. E vakilai talega na soqo me baleta na kena maroroi ni nona vakatulewa ni curu ki mataivalu ni vakatulewa ki na gauna ni rogo.

Na vakamatatataki e vakataki koya o Temo e vauca na nodra vakatulewa ni dokia ni dodonu me levu cake na kena vakekeli, ka vakamacalataka ni “na veika ni vakadidike e bibi sara,” ka a vakabibi na i tukutica ni dokicia ena gauna ni veisorovaki ni bail. E vakaliwai talega me baleta na kena vinaka na vei dokita ke mate e vakaraitaki kina na iwalewale ni rawa ni tekivu na vakadidike kei na veivakadonui, ka sa tukuni ni na lailai na gauna ni veika oqo ke sega ni rawa ni vakadeitaki sara.

Na i vola ki na veikacagi a mai tukuni tale ga ni oya na PSH Hospitals e na gauna e tiko kina na veidokadokado me baleta na muri ni noda vakatulewa, ka a vakaitavi kina na kena lailai na veika e wiliwili kina. E kaya ni na rawa ni oya ni a solia na i tukutuku me rawa kina na kena vakadidike, ia na i tukutuku ni vakadodonu na vuku me tukuna vei ira na mataivalu ni vakadidike. E tukuna kecega ni na tiko na veivakadonui e Fiji na kena taqomaki na mate, ka na dua na itukutuku ni veika e gadrevi me raica.

Na rogo ni keda iValenibuli, e tukuna ni na tuva ni vakadidike e na vakadidike ki na 15 Septemba ki na 3 Okotoba 2025, ka me sere tiko na nona aDredre, me dau vakaitavi ki teitei na vanua ni mataivalu. E kaya ni dodonu me tu e Fiji na nodra veisau ni bail, ka vakadeitaki ki na siga ni gauna ni rogo.

Na lawa e vakadewataki kina na nodra vakadidike na rusa ni veikacagi e kena vakadidike na gauna oqo. Na itavi ni nodra kerea na veitarogi tale ga oqo ena dua na vanua me baleta na veilagi ni gauna ni rogo.

Note: na iVakasumataki oqo e vakaraitaka na vakananuma ni veivakadonui ena veiqaravi ni lewe ni vakadidike kei na veika e baleti ira na veitokoni ni vakatulewa, me rawa ni qaravi ki na veika e rui gadrevi.

Additional comments
– This case illustrates the ongoing balance courts seek between providing necessary health care to high-profile defendants and preserving the integrity and efficiency of the justice system.
– Readers may benefit from a brief explainer on the legal standards used in bail variation decisions and a timeline of key dates in Sayed-Khaiyum’s case.

If you’d like, I can add a concise explainer of the bail-variation standards and a timeline of key dates to help readers follow developments more easily.