Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum speaking to journalists outside a Suva court in June. (file photo) Photo: Facebook / FijiFirst
Fiji's former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has been granted permission to travel to Singapore for a medical review after a local court temporarily removed a stop departure order against him on Wednesday.
Sayed-Khaiyum, 57, has been charged with one count of abuse of office when he was acting prime minister between June 30 and July 12 last year. It is alleged that he approved for the government to pay the taxes of the country's former elections chief Mohammed Saneem at the time.
Local media report the court was satisfied that the reason for his overseas travel "fall into the bracket of essential travel, especially the medical report from Singapore appears to be insisting for him to travel".
They reported that the State Counsel had objected to bail, saying that that there was a risk that Sayed-Khaiyum would not return.
However, Magistrate Jeremaia Savou said the State could not provide "compelling evidence to dissuade the court from its finding".
"Sayed-Khaiyum's passport will be released to him at 2pm (Fiji time) on Wednesday and must be returned to the Suva Magistrates Court Criminal Registry on or before 26 October this year," fijivillage.com reported.
"The stop departure order issued of 2 May this year will be uplifted temporarily with immediate effect and will be reinstated on 26th October this year.
"Sayed-Khaiyum said he hopes to leave the country this week."
The court has waived Sayed-Khaiyum's reporting condition for September, but he will be required to recommence signing it at the Namaka Police Station in Nadi from next month when he returns to the country.
His case has been adjourned until October 27.
