Former Minister for Fisheries and Forests Kalaveti Ravu has received permission to travel abroad later this month. However, the Magistrates Court has mandated that Ravu submit his travel itinerary to the Court Registry before his passport can be released and the stop-departure order lifted. Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou stated that while the application for a variation of bail is approved, the passport and the lifting of the stop-departure order will occur only after the itinerary is submitted to 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 abuse of office. The allegations state that between July 25, 2023, and August 31, 2023, Ravu interfered in a legitimate investigation by the Ministry of Forestry concerning the illegal trade of banned species of beche-de-mer. It is claimed that while working at the Ministry, Toaisi assisted Ravu in committing the alleged abuse of office.
The case has been postponed until January 7 for the completion of the Pre-Trial Conference, and bail has been extended for both individuals.