Fiji’s former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been granted permission by the High Court to travel to New Zealand to accompany his sick wife for medical treatment.
Bainimarama, who lost power in December 2022, is facing charges in two separate cases. One involves allegations of inciting mutiny alongside former police chief Sitiveni Qiloho, while the other concerns a health tender case alongside his former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma. He pleaded not guilty in both cases.
According to local media, Bainimarama’s wife has been bedridden for weeks due to a spinal infection and needs to travel to Aotearoa for treatment.
Bainimarama is his wife’s primary carer, local media reported.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) opposed the variation of bail, citing concerns about delays to his current court cases if he were allowed to leave the country.
High Court judge Justice Daniel Goundar made the ruling via Zoom, local media report.
“Justice Daniel Goundar has granted former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama permission to travel to New Zealand with his wife for urgent medical treatment, temporarily suspending his travel restrictions and relevant Stop Departure Orders,” The Fiji Times reported.
“Justice Goundar said the medical evidence established an urgent need for overseas treatment and that Bainimarama’s presence would provide important practical and emotional support during his wife’s hospitalisation.”
The newspaper reported that Bainimarama is permitted to make a single trip to Auckland and must return to Fiji no later than 3 December.
The former prime minister is also required to provide his travel itinerary, address in Auckland, and a telephone number to the court registry and the prosecution.
