Former Minister for Fisheries and Forests Kalaveti Ravu has received permission to travel abroad later this month. However, the Magistrates Court has mandated that Ravu must submit his travel itinerary to the Court Registry before his passport can be returned and the stop-departure order can be lifted.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou stated, “The application for bail variation is granted. However, the passport and the lifting of the stop departure order will be contingent upon the itinerary being filed at the registry, with a copy provided to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.”
Ravu faces a charge of abuse of office, along with Regional Manager North Tekata Toaisi, who is accused of aiding and abetting the abuse of office. It is alleged that from July 25, 2023, to August 31, 2023, Ravu intervened in a lawful investigation by the Ministry of Forestry regarding the illegal trade of prohibited species of beche-de-mer. Toaisi is accused of facilitating Ravu in this offense while employed at the Ministry.
The case has been postponed until January 7 for a Pre-Trial Conference, and bail has been extended for both individuals.