Former Fisheries and Forests Minister Kalaveti Ravu has requested court approval to travel abroad as he is among six parliamentarians scheduled to visit China next month. His attorney, Lavi Rokoika, informed Magistrate Jeremaia Savou that Mr. Ravu plans to attend a seminar in China from October 22 to 31.
Rokoika indicated that her client had not submitted his biographical information for travel arrangements since his passport is currently held by the court. Magistrate Savou permitted the photocopying of Mr. Ravu’s biodata, which was to be released by the end of business yesterday, while the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) was given 14 days to respond to the defense’s request for the return of the former minister’s travel documents.
In another development, Mr. Ravu’s co-defendant, Tekata Toaisi, the regional manager for the Ministry of Fisheries and Forests in the North, was absent from court. His lawyer, Joji Cakau, explained to the Suva Magistrate’s Court that Mr. Toaisi had mistaken the court date but assured that his client would attend the next session.
The trial has been scheduled for February 3 to 7 next year. Mr. Ravu faces accusations of obstructing a ministerial investigation into the alleged illegal trade of a banned species of sea cucumber, while Mr. Toaisi is charged with assisting the former minister in this offense between July and August of the previous year. Both individuals are set to reappear in court on October 3.