The State plans to hold a trial in absentia for Mohammed Shaheed Khan, who was acquitted by the High Court in Lautoka in October 2015 for the unlawful importation of 29.9 kilograms of heroin into Fiji in 2014.
This development was revealed by State prosecutor Sheenal Swastika in the High Court in Lautoka this week.
Khan’s co-accused, Australian national Ethan Kai, was found guilty in 2015 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for unlawfully importing illicit drugs.
In December last year, the Fiji Court of Appeal ordered a new trial for Khan.
“In the course of seven days, we intend to file a formal application for a bench warrant for accused number one (Mohammed Shaheed Khan) and we intend to proceed in absentia for the first accused,” Ms. Swastika said.
She informed the court that they would obtain Khan’s travel history and file a formal application for a bench warrant.
Justice Sunil Sharma, who is overseeing the case, questioned the prosecution about the delay in filing applications given the upcoming trial dates.
“Why so late? This matter has been scheduled for trial a long time ago,” Justice Sharma said.
Lautoka lawyer Mark Anthony is representing the defense.
Justice Sharma has scheduled a pre-trial conference for July 10 and the trial for July 22.