Court allows bail variation for Charters, permits overseas travel

The Suva Magistrate Court has allowed a bail variation for dual British-Fijian citizen Charlie Charters.

The former journalist and sports marketing specialist is now able to travel overseas despite prosecution concerns he posed a flight risk.

Charters had appeared before Shageeth Somaratne, who ruled in his favour after weighing his recent travel history against objections from Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

He is charged with two counts of aiding and abetting, contrary to Section 45 of the Crimes Act 2009, read together with Section 13G(1) of the FICAC Act 2007.

The prosecution had argued that Charters could abscond, but the court noted he had travelled to Australia for work the previous month and returned to Fiji as required.

In his ruling, Magistrate Somaratne ordered that the stop departure order be lifted on April 10 and that Charters’ travel documents be returned.

Charters intends to attend his uncle’s funeral in the United Kingdom and take up residence and employment in Hong Kong.

He was also ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses or commit any further offences.

The court set a $50,000 bail bond for sureties.

Charters remains subject to strict bail conditions, including restricted use of social media, non‑interference with witnesses, and full compliance with all court directives.