Former Attorney General and Minister for Civil Aviation Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, along with former Executive General of Corporate Affairs at Fiji Airways Shaenaz Voss and Fiji Airways General Manager of Safety, Security, and Quality Sharun Ali, were granted bail under strict conditions on Friday. They appeared before Magistrate Semi Babitu at the Nadi Magistrates Court facing multiple charges related to incidents that occurred between 2018 and 2023.
Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum faces a total of 44 charges, which 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 as a public servant, and 11 counts of abuse of office. Ms. Voss is charged with three counts of giving a corrupt benefit, while Mr. Ali has 11 counts of giving a corrupt benefit against him. Additionally, Ms. Voss, Mr. Ali, and Fiji Link are charged with five counts of failing to report mandatory security occurrences and three counts of violating airline security regulations.
The charges are brought under the Civil Aviation (Security) Act 1994, Civil Aviation (Security) Regulations 1994, and the Crimes Act 2009. The state was represented by Acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro and Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku. The defendants were represented by Gul Fatima for Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum and Ms. Voss, and Wasu Pillay for Mr. Ali.
During the proceedings, Ms. Tabuakuro did not oppose bail but requested stricter conditions, including a significant cash bail bond of $50,000, citing the seriousness of the charges. The defense counsels argued that this amount was excessive and proposed non-cash bail bonds, noting the prolonged investigation period without flight risk.
Magistrate Babitu ultimately granted bail, requiring the accused to surrender their passports, adhere to a stop departure order, and avoid any interference with prosecution witnesses, many of whom work for Fiji Airways. Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum’s passport is currently held by the Suva Magistrates Court.
The court set a non-cash bail bond of $10,000, with each accused required to present two sureties subject to the same bond conditions. The case will be revisited in the Nadi Magistrate Court on November 14.