Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will know this Friday whether he will be allowed to travel to New Zealand to accompany his wife, Mary Bainimarama, who requires urgent medical treatment in Auckland.
Suva High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar will deliver his ruling after Bainimarama's counsel applied to vary his bail conditions following a hearing in Sigatoka this morning.
His counsel Devanesh Sharma says Mrs Bainimarama has already undergone surgery in Fiji, and her treating surgeon has recommended further specialist treatment in New Zealand.
Sharma says she is expected to be transferred to New Zealand by air ambulance tomorrow and medical intervention will begin soon after.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro objected to varying Bainimarama's bail, raising concerns on the possibility of a delay in the Health tender trial, where the ruling on the no case to answer application is on December 4th.
She also raised concerns about Bainimarama’s suspended sentence in the unlawful termination of police officers case and questioned whether it could affect the processing of his visa application.
Tabuakuro also acknowledged that Mrs Bainimarama requires urgent medical treatment in Auckland.
She also confirmed that Bainimarama's diplomatic passports are currently held at the court registry.
The court noted that he would need to apply for an emergency passport and visa, and that the Stop Departure Orders would need to be lifted to allow these applications to proceed.
Sharma confirmed that his client has undertaken to return within the proposed travel dates and before 4th December, if required by the court.
He also highlighted that Bainimarama's presence is important during his wife's medical treatment, particularly in making financial decisions, providing necessary authorisations and consents, and assisting doctors with his knowledge of her medical history.
Sharma also referred to letters from treating physicians in New Zealand and at Oceania Hospitals in Suva, who expressed the professional opinion that Bainimarama should be present during his wife's critical medical procedures.
The defence counsel further submitted that Bainimarama is solely a Fijian citizen and does not hold citizenship or residency rights in another country.
The ruling will be delivered this Friday in the Suva High Court, with Justice Goundar joining online.
Meanwhile, the inciting to mutiny trial for Bainimarama and former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho is scheduled to take place from April 5th to April 30th next year.
