Former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, ex-Fink Link CEO Shaenaz Voss, and Fiji Airways General Manager for 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 first phase of evidence disclosures had been presented and requested an additional six weeks to provide the second phase. Tabuakuro indicated that while the prosecution did not oppose the granting of bail, they requested each accused to post $50,000, citing the seriousness of the allegations.
In response, defense attorneys Gul Fatima and Wasu Pillay contested the cash bail requirement, advocating for a non-cash bail option. The Court ultimately ruled that bail would be set at $10,000 each, to be non-cash.
The charges against Sayed-Khaiyum include 11 counts of unlawful carriage of a firearm on an aircraft, 11 counts of receiving a corrupt benefit, 11 counts of breach of trust while employed in the public service, and 11 counts of abuse of office. Voss is facing three counts of giving a corrupt benefit, while Ali is charged with 11 counts of giving a corrupt benefit. Additionally, Voss, Ali, and Fiji Link face five counts related to breach of mandatory reporting of security incidents and three counts for violating airline security protocols.
These charges fall 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 are required to surrender their passports to the Nadi Court, and a departure prohibition order has been enacted. It has been noted that Sayed-Khaiyum’s passport is currently held by the Suva Magistrates Court.
They have also been instructed to avoid any interference with prosecution witnesses, many of whom are employees of Fiji Airways. Each defendant must also provide two sureties, who are also subject to the non-cash bail requirement. The case has been adjourned until November 14 for further mention.