Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, ex-Fiji Airways executive Shaenaz Voss, and Fiji Airways general manager Sharun Ali, along with Fiji Airlines trading as Fiji Link, are facing a total of 66 charges after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) sanctioned the allegations against them. They have been granted a non-cash bail of $10,000 by the Magistrate’s Court in Nadi.
In providing the bail, Magistrate Semi Babitu instructed the defendants to surrender their passports, arrange for two sureties, comply with stop-departure orders, and refrain from contacting prosecution witnesses.
Sayed-Khaiyum is facing multiple charges, including 11 counts of the unlawful carriage of a firearm on an aircraft, 11 counts of receiving a corrupt benefit, 11 counts of breach of trust as a public servant, and 11 counts of abuse of office. Voss faces three counts of giving a corrupt benefit, while Ali has been charged with 11 counts of the same offense.
Moreover, Voss, Ali, and Fiji Airlines T/A Fiji Link are facing five counts related to the breach of mandatory reporting on security occurrences and three counts regarding airline security violations. These charges fall under the Civil Aviation (Security) Act 1994, Civil Aviation (Security) Regulations 1994, and the Crimes Act 2009.
Acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro did not contest the bail decision but requested a cash bail bond of $50,000 for the defendants. She emphasized the need for stop-departure orders and instructed that Ali maintain distance from prosecution witnesses, as he remains employed by Fiji Airways and the majority of the witnesses work at Fiji Link under him.
Tabuakuro asked for six weeks to provide the second phase of disclosures. The case is scheduled to be revisited on November 14.