Former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, former CEO of Fink Link Shaenaz Voss, and Sharun Ali, the General Manager of Safety, Security, and Quality at Fiji Airways, were granted bail by the Nadi Magistrates Court yesterday.
The Acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Laisani Tabuakuro, informed the court that the first phase of disclosures had been completed and requested a period of six weeks to submit the second phase. While the prosecution did not oppose bail, they proposed that each accused post a $50,000 bond due to the serious nature of the allegations.
Defense attorneys Gul Fatima and Wasu Pillay contested the cash requirement, advocating for a non-cash bail arrangement. The court ultimately decided to set bail at $10,000 each on a non-cash basis.
Sayed-Khaiyum faces 11 counts related to the unlawful carriage of a firearm on an aircraft, 11 counts of receiving a corrupt benefit, 11 counts of breach of trust, and 11 counts of abuse of office. Voss is charged with three counts of providing a corrupt benefit, while Ali is facing 11 counts of the same offense. Additionally, Voss, Ali, and Fiji Link are charged with five counts of failing to report security occurrences and three counts of violating airline security protocols.
These charges are brought under the Civil Aviation (Security) Act 1994, Civil Aviation (Security) Regulations 1994, and Crimes Act 2009.
As part of their bail conditions, the accused must surrender their passports to the Nadi Court, and a departure order has been issued in their names. Sayed-Khaiyum’s passport is currently retained by the Suva Magistrates Court. They have been instructed to avoid any interaction with prosecution witnesses, many of whom are employed by Fiji Airways. Furthermore, each defendant must secure two sureties who are also subject to the non-cash bail bond.
The case is scheduled for mention on November 14.