Sayed-Khaiyum did not suffer a stroke, State argues

The medical report acquired by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) has suggested that the former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum did not suffer from stroke.

Acting DPP, Nancy Tikoisuva made this argument during Sayed-Khaiyum's urgent bail variation application before Chief Justice Salesi Temo at the High Court in Suva today.

In this matter, Sayed-Khaiyum's lawyers Gul Fatima and Devanesh Sharma had filed an urgent bail variation application after their client collapsed on July 15 in Nadi where families claimed he had a stroke.

The proceeding was an intense one as his lawyers Gul Fatima and Devanesh Sharma fought their case to have their client travel to Singapore to be assessed by his cardiologist.

Applicant case

In their application, they have argued that the medical report from six doctors, five of which were cardiologists an eye doctor confirmed that Sayed-Khaiyum suffered from stroke and that without further professional medical assessment, he would only get worse.

Ms Fatima referred to their previous application before the Suva Magistrates Court where three doctors had made early warnings about his condition getting worse if not treated at the earliest.

She argued that since the start of the case at the lower court, the State had made multiple applications before the court whereas they had only made two applications, one of which included his application to travel overseas for his assessment.

The court had warned both parties against dragging the case which has now been held again after two years.

Ms Fatima said they would only need two weeks for the assessment, and this would in no way interfere with the hearing dates that have been set for November 10 to 14, 17 to 21 and 24 to 28.

State case

Ms Tikoisuva told the court they had received Sayed-Khaiyum's medical report from Aspen Medical in Lautoka recently and according to the report his condition had been exaggerated.

She said his MRI report did not suggest a stroke and that there was no diagnosis made yet.

According to their diagnosis, his symptoms were currently being managed and there were other modified monitoring machines like the Halter monitoring machine that were available locally.

She said should the court allow him to travel, the State was going to seek strict bail condition, that is, to hand over his properties to the State.

Ms Fatima argued against this saying all his properties were currently mortgaged to the Bank of the South Pacific (BSP) while another was being leased to the American Embassy.

The court did not allow any doctors to be cross examined.

Justice Temo has, however, considered working with the medical reports and the affidavits submitted by both parties.

The matter will be heard again on August 15 for his ruling.