Former Diplomat And Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Solo Mara, Charged By FICAC
He appeared before the Chief Magistrate, Usaia Ratuvili, last Sunday (January 26), after FICAC’s request for appearance of Mara.
Saturday 01 February 2020 | 10:38
Solo Mara, former prominent diplomat and Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, has been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Mara faces two charges - giving false or misleading information and disobeying a lawful order.
He appeared before the Chief Magistrate, Usaia Ratuvili, last Sunday (January 26), after FICAC’s request for appearance of Mara.
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Mara was kept in FICAC custody overnight on Sunday and was granted bail by the Magistrates Court in Suva on Monday.
Chief Registrar Yohan Liyanage said: “It is normal that sometimes we receive a request from Police, FICAC or any other agencies for court sessions during weekends or after hours.
“In this instance, we received a request from FICAC that they need to produce a person who was in their custody before a Magistrate. Thus, we have facilitated,” he said.
The matter will be called on February 25 for plea.
Mara is the former Fijian Ambassador to the United States, former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He is currently Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Development Forum in Suva.
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
Feedback: ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj
