A ban preventing businessman Jason Zhong from traveling overseas has been lifted to allow him to attend a business trip.
Zhong is one of two individuals facing corruption charges by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.
During a court appearance before Resident Magistrate Shelyn Kiran, Zhong’s defense attorney, Barbara Malimali, requested the lift of the travel restriction, assuring the court that Zhong would return as required.
Magistrate Kiran granted the lift and instructed the Prosecution to respond to Zhong’s claims and for the first accused, Solomone Keteravu’s Counsel, to contact the prosecution about the statement disclosure.
Zhong and Keteravu each face one count of bribery.
It is alleged that Keteravu, while working as an Assistant Estate Officer at the iTaukei Land Trust Board around December 1, 2018, accepted a bribe of $300 in Nadi.
Keteravu is alternatively charged with accepting the advantage of $300 from Zhong.
Zhong is accused of offering $300 to Keteravu for performing an act related to his public servant duties.
The case has been adjourned to September 24 for further mention.