Former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, ex-Fink Link CEO Shaenaz Voss, and Fiji Airways General Manager of Safety, Security, and Quality, Sharun Ali, were granted bail by the Nadi Magistrates Court yesterday.
During the proceedings, Acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Laisani Tabuakuro informed the Court that the initial phase of disclosures had been completed and requested an additional six weeks to present the second phase. Although the prosecution did not object to granting bail, they sought a bail amount of $50,000 for each accused, citing the seriousness of the charges.
In response, defense attorneys Gul Fatima and Wasu Pillay opposed the cash bail requirement, advocating for a non-cash option instead. The Court ultimately decided to set bail at $10,000 each, on a non-cash basis.
The charges against Sayed-Khaiyum include 11 counts of unlawful carriage of a firearm on an aircraft, as well as multiple counts of receiving corrupt benefits, breach of trust, and abuse of office. Voss faces three counts of giving a corrupt benefit, and Ali is charged with 11 counts of the same offense. Additionally, Voss, Ali, and Fiji Link face five counts of failing to report mandatory security incidents and three counts of airline security violations.
These charges are brought under the Civil Aviation (Security) Act 1994, Civil Aviation (Security) Regulations 1994, and Crimes Act 2009.
As part of the bail conditions, all accused individuals must surrender their passports to the Nadi Court and have a departure order issued in their names. Sayed-Khaiyum’s passport is reportedly already retained by the Suva Magistrates Court. They are also required to avoid any interference with prosecution witnesses, many of whom work for Fiji Airways.
Each defendant must provide two sureties who are also subject to the non-cash bail bond. The case is scheduled for mention on November 14.