Former Minister for Fisheries and Forests Kalaveti Ravu has received permission to travel abroad 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 released and a stop-departure order lifted.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou stated, “The application for bail variation is granted. However, the passport and the lifting of the stop-departure order will only occur once the itinerary is filed at the registry and a copy is provided to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.”
Ravu faces a charge of abuse of office, alongside Regional Manager North Tekata Toaisi, who is accused of assisting in the abuse of office. It is claimed that from July 25, 2023, to August 31, 2023, Ravu interfered with a Ministry of Forestry investigation regarding the illegal trade of prohibited beche-de-mer species. Toaisi is alleged to have facilitated Ravu in committing the offending action while serving in the Ministry.
The case is set to reconvene on January 7 for the finalization of the Pre-Trial Conference, and bail has been extended for both individuals.