The State plans to significantly reduce the number of charges against former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and three other individuals implicated in violations of civil aviation laws regarding the carriage of handguns on aircraft. At a recent hearing in the High Court in Lautoka, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro informed Justice Sunil Sharma that the current 66 counts associated with the unlawful transport of firearms on planes would be decreased to approximately 30 counts.
This reduction is anticipated to occur when the State submits the new information, streamlining the legal proceedings and allowing for a trial date to be set promptly. The defendants in this case include Sayed-Khaiyum, former Fiji Airways executive Shaenaz Voss, general manager Sharun Ali, and Fiji Airlines, which operates as Fiji Link.
The hearing on Friday marked the first consideration of the case in the High Court after being transferred from the Nadi Magistrate’s Court. During this session, Sayed-Khaiyum was represented by attorney Gul Fatima, Voss by Wasu Pillay, and Fiji Link by Nilesh Prasad.
The prosecution has proposed a timeline to file the revised charges by March 20, which would provide the defense adequate time to review the reduced charges and associated evidence before the defendants return to court for their pleas in April. Tabuakuro expressed hope that the trial could begin by August, aiming for the case to be resolved within the year.
While Fatima consented to the adjournment, she cautioned that specific trial dates would hinge on the availability of the attorneys’ schedules. Justice Sharma has since passed the case file to Justice Aruna Aluthge for further assessment, and the next court session is set for April 14 for plea arrangements.
This progression indicates a move towards a more efficient resolution of the legal matters at hand, reflecting a commitment to uphold judicial processes while minimizing delays.
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