Kalaveti Ravu, the former Minister for Fisheries and Forests, has been authorized to travel abroad later this month. However, the Magistrates Court has mandated that Ravu must submit his travel itinerary to the Court Registry before his passport can be returned and the stop-departure order lifted.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou stated, “The application for bail variation is granted; however, the passport and the lifting of the stop-departure order will 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, alongside Regional Manager North Tekata Toaisi, who is accused of aiding and abetting the abuse of office. The allegations suggest that between July 25, 2023, and August 31, 2023, Ravu obstructed a lawful investigation by the Ministry of Forestry regarding the illegal trade in prohibited species of beche-de-mer.
It is claimed that Toaisi, while working at the Ministry, assisted Ravu in committing the alleged abuse of office. The case has been postponed until January 7 to finalize the Pre-Trial Conference, and bail has been extended for both individuals.