Kalaveti Ravu, the former Minister for Fisheries and Forests, has received permission to travel abroad later this month. However, the Magistrates Court has mandated that he must submit his travel itinerary to the Court Registry before his passport can be released and a stop-departure order can be lifted.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou stated that while the application for bail variation is approved, the passport will only be returned and the stop-departure order revoked once the itinerary is filed at the registry and a copy is provided to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Ravu faces charges of abuse of office, alongside Regional Manager North Tekata Toaisi, who is accused of assisting and abetting this abuse. It is alleged that between July 25 and August 31, 2023, Ravu interfered in a legitimate Ministry of Forestry investigation concerning the illegal trade of prohibited species of beche-de-mer. Toaisi is accused of facilitating Ravu’s actions while employed at the Ministry.
The case has been adjourned until January 7, when a Pre-Trial Conference will be finalized. Bail has been extended for both individuals involved.