Former Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Kalaveti Ravu, has been allowed 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 before the stop-departure order against him can be lifted.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou stated that while the application for the variation of bail is approved, the release of the passport and the cessation 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 charged with aiding and abetting the abuse of office. The allegations suggest that between July 25, 2023, and August 31, 2023, Ravu interfered with a legitimate Ministry of Forestry investigation into the illegal trade of prohibited beche-de-mer species. It is also alleged that Toaisi, during his employment at the Ministry, supported Ravu in committing this offense.
The case has been postponed until January 7 to complete the Pre-Trial Conference, and bail has been extended for both individuals involved.