Citizen journalist Charlie Charters is set to appear in court next week to request a modification of his bail conditions, which would permit him to travel to Australia for work-related opportunities. Charters made his initial appearance in front of Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne at the Suva Magistrates Court, where his application was called.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is opposing Charters’ request and has asked for additional time to present its objections. Charters faces serious charges involving two counts of aiding and abetting the unlawful disclosure of FICAC information, as outlined under section 45 of the Crimes Act and section 13(1)(g) of the FICAC Act.
FICAC claims that Charters assisted a FICAC officer in committing an offense by publicly sharing official information on his Facebook page without the authorization of the FICAC Commissioner late last year.
Magistrate Somaratne has instructed the prosecution to submit and serve its objections, along with further disclosures, by Monday of next week. The variance request will be reviewed the following day, with a decision expected on Wednesday, March 4.
The proceedings mark an ongoing legal battle for Charters, whose situation highlights the tensions surrounding transparency and accountability in governmental operations. As the court dates approach, the outcome could have significant implications not only for Charters but also for the broader discourse on press freedoms and information dissemination in the region.
Leave a comment