The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption has this afternoon objected to a bail variation application by British and Fijian citizen Charlie Charters to travel to attend his uncle's funeral, calling him a flight risk.
Also part of Charters bail variation was to return to Hong Kong where he resides and works.
Charters appeared before Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne this afternoon.
FICAC counsel, Rusiate Doidoi objected to the bail variation.
Defence counsel, Seforan Fatiaki told the court that Charters travelled to Australia for work earlier this month and returned, adding that if Charters wanted to run he would not have returned to Fiji.
Doidoi also objected to the signed affidavit that Charters brought with him witnessed by an Australian solicitor saying that it is invalid as it is not by a local notary and not in the jurisdiction.
Fatiaki responded saying that any document witnessed or notarised within the Commonwealth is legal and binding in Fiji.
This means that Charters will have to file another affidavit tomorrow with the registry.
The FICAC counsel told the court that Charters should be treated just like everyone else that has filed for a bail variation to travel overseas while Fatiaki responded saying that this case is unlike any other.
Fatiaki says Charters does not reside or work in Fiji which puts him on a different footing.
He also spoke about Charters travelling not just to his uncle's funeral but also visiting his ageing mother in the United Kingdom.
Magistrate Somaratne will give his ruling on the bail variation on Tuesday.
