Sayed-Khaiyum’s bail variation hearing delayed as Chief Justice Travels
Ms Fatima said she had submitted a medical report on Tuesday, seeking urgent attention to the matter, following a team of doctors recommending immediate cardiac and neurological assessments for her client—assessments not available in Fiji.
Thursday 31 July 2025 | 13:11
Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will now have to wait until Monday for the High Court in Suva to hear his bail variation application.
His lawyer, Gul Fatima, confirmed the postponement to the Fiji Sun this morning, saying the High Court Criminal Registry had rescheduled the case, which was initially set to be heard today.
Ms Fatima said she had submitted a medical report on Tuesday, seeking urgent attention to the matter, following a team of doctors recommending immediate cardiac and neurological assessments for her client—assessments not available in Fiji.
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“We were informed by the Registry that the Honourable CJ who has carriage of this matter is travelling,” she said.
“We requested for this matter to be called urgently as we fear, based on the recommendations of the doctors, that our client could suffer another medical episode, a stroke or cardiac event which could be fatal.”
Ms Fatima also raised concerns about visits made by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to the Lautoka Aspen Medical Hospital, where Sayed-Khaiyum is currently admitted.
She said the family had informed her of CID’s presence on Tuesday, prompting her to contact Director CID, Loraini Seru.
“I called Director CID and she said she hadn't authorised anybody to go to the hospital,” Ms Fatima said.
“Then today they showed up again. I don't know the details but Tuesday was when I filed the medical report and served DPP; by the evening CID was at the hospital.”
She said the defence team was now deeply concerned about her client’s constitutional rights.
“Sayed-Khaiyum has suffered from a stroke and ischaemic heart disease and his cardiology-related issues are consistent with the earlier medical evidence that we had presented in three previous applications between June 2024 and May 2025, and all of which were declined,” she said.
“We are concerned about Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum's constitutional right to life, health and his three young children and wife, Ela.”
