The court heard that Phanat and Bing came into the country on visitor’s visas and were arrested one week after their arrival

The High Court Suva on Wednesday made an order for the Director of the Fiji Immigration Department to issue two Asian nationals with temporary visas to stay in the country.

Justice Riyaaz Hamza made the order after he was informed by Defence lawyer Barbara Malimali that her client was in breach of immigration laws because he had exhausted his Visitors’ visa while being remanded in custody.

Ms Malimali’s clients Lum Bing and Jason Zhong were discharged from human trafficking related proceedings yesterday along with co-accused’s Phanat Laojindamanee and Zhang Yong.

State Prosecutor Vosawale made an application for nolle prosequi yesterday for all four accused to be discharged from Court proceedings.

The court heard that Phanat and Bing came into the country on visitor’s visa and were arrested one week after their arrival.

State Prosecutor Meli Vosawale told Justice Hamza that the duo were at risk of being apprehended by Immigration officials as soon as they exited the court room.

Their visas had expired while they were in custody.

Defence counsel requested the court to issue an order for Phanat and Bing to be given temporary visas for 15 days so they can make travel arrangements to leave the country.

Ms Malimali also requested for their cash bail monies of $5000 and $20,000 to be released by the registry along with their passports.

She also made an application for the stop departure order against them to be uplifted.

The applications were also granted.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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