Former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, former 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.
Acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Laisani Tabuakuro informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been completed and requested six weeks to submit the second phase. While the prosecution did not object to bail, they proposed a condition requiring each accused to post $50,000, emphasizing the severity of the charges.
Defense lawyers Gul Fatima and Wasu Pillay contested the cash requirement, advocating for a non-cash bail arrangement. The Court ultimately decided to set the bail at $10,000 each, to be provided in a non-cash format.
Sayed-Khaiyum faces 11 counts of unlawful carrying of a firearm on an aircraft, 11 counts of receiving a corrupt benefit, 11 counts of breach of trust by a public servant, and 11 counts of abuse of office. Voss has been charged with three counts of giving a corrupt benefit, while Ali is facing 11 counts of giving a corrupt benefit. Voss, Ali, and Fiji Link are also charged with five counts of failing to report security occurrences and three counts of violating airline security regulations.
These charges fall under the Civil Aviation (Security) Act 1994, Civil Aviation (Security) Regulations 1994, and the Crimes Act 2009.
As part of their bail conditions, all accused must surrender their passports to the Nadi Court. A departure order has also been placed in their names. Sayed-Khaiyum’s passport is currently retained by the Suva Magistrates Court. They have been instructed not to interfere with prosecution witnesses, many of whom work for Fiji Airways, and each defendant is required to present two sureties, who are also subject to the non-cash bail bond.
The case has been adjourned until November 14 for further mention.