Former Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Kalaveti Ravu, has been granted permission to travel abroad later this month. However, the Magistrates Court has stipulated that Ravu must submit his travel itinerary to the Court Registry before his passport can be released and his stop-departure order lifted.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou affirmed, “The application for bail variation is granted. However, the passport and the lifting of the stop-departure order will only occur once the itinerary is filed at the registry, and a copy is provided to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.”
Ravu faces a charge of abuse of office, along with Regional Manager North Tekata Toaisi, who is charged with aiding and abetting the offense. The allegations claim that between July 25, 2023, and August 31, 2023, Ravu intervened in a lawful Ministry of Forestry investigation concerning the illegal trade of prohibited beche-de-mer species. It is also alleged that Toaisi, while working at the Ministry, supported Ravu in committing the abuse of office.
The case has been postponed until January 7, when a Pre-Trial Conference will be finalized. Bail has been extended for both defendants.