Former Minister for Fisheries and Forests Kalaveti Ravu has received permission to travel overseas 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 returned and the stop-departure order lifted.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou indicated that the application for a variation of bail has been approved. Nonetheless, the release of Ravu’s passport and the cancellation of the stop-departure order are contingent upon the submission of his travel plans to the registry, with a copy also provided to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Ravu faces one count of abuse of office, while Regional Manager North Tekata Toaisi is charged with aiding and abetting this abuse. The allegations state that between July 25 and August 31, 2023, Ravu allegedly disrupted the lawful procedures of a Ministry of Forestry investigation into the illegal trade of banned beche-de-mer species. It is further claimed that Toaisi, while working at the Ministry, assisted Ravu in committing this act of abuse of office.
The case has been postponed until January 7 to complete the Pre-Trial Conference, and bail has been extended for both individuals.