News
Charters Pleads Not Guilty, Allowed to Travel Overseas
Posted by Media Team 4 March 2026
The Suva Magistrates Court has granted Charlie Chartersβ bail variation application to travel to Australia this month.
He has also pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Resident Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne delivered the ruling this morning.
The Court noted that at Mr. Chartersβ first appearance on 23 February 2026, he sought leave to travel to Australia for employment purposes, and a formal bail variation application was filed on 27 February 2026.
The application was supported by a letter from his employer confirming that he is part of the management team responsible for a hospitality programme and that his presence is important.
The Court considered FICACβs submissions, including reliance on π»πππ π΄ππ‘π π£ ππ‘ππ‘π and ππ‘ππ‘π π£ πππ¦ππ-πΎβπππ¦π’π, where applications for overseas travel were refused.
In his ruling, Resident Magistrate Somaratne referred to ππππ βππ‘π‘ππ π£ ππ‘ππ‘π, in which an accused person was permitted to travel overseas for business purposes.
He stated that in bail variation applications, a key consideration is whether the reason for travel is imperative and essential, which may include medical treatment, education, business, or other valid grounds.
Based on the materials before the Court, the Magistrate found that Mr. Chartersβ reason for travel is essential and imperative for the continuation of his employment.
The Court also accepted that Mr. Charters, a dual citizen of Fiji and the United Kingdom, has longstanding ties to Hong Kong, where he has resided since 1993, and demonstrated ties to Fiji through his wife, a managing director of a company employing more than 700 people.
While the defence submitted that the offences were not serious, the Court found the allegations serious, particularly as they involve aiding and abetting a FICAC officer in unlawfully divulging information.
The Magistrate refrained from commenting on the strength of the prosecutionβs case, noting that he is not privy to the evidence.
The Court was satisfied that sufficient family ties and surety arrangements exist to ensure Mr. Chartersβ return to Fiji.
Mr. Charters is permitted to travel to Australia on or after 5 March 2026 and must return on or before 26 March 2026.
The court registry has been directed to release his travel documents, which must be surrendered immediately upon his return.
Mr. Charters has been ordered to deposit a cash bail bond of $2,500.
His three sureties are required to enter into personal bonds of $20,000 each and surrender their travel documents to the court.
The Stop Departure Order against Mr. Charters has been lifted.
Resident Magistrate Somaratne cautioned that if Mr. Charters fails to return, proceedings may continue in his absence and may be determined by way of trial in absentia.
Mr. Chartersβ 3 sureties have also accepted under oath that they agree to the security bond to be $20,000 each and have accepted to act as sureties for the accused.
FICAC counsel Joshua Prasad sought leave for Mr. Charters to take his plea, which was granted.
Mr. Charters pleaded not guilty to two counts of Aiding and Abetting.
The matter has been adjourned to 30 March 2026 for pre-trial conference and to confirm Mr. Chartersβ return to Fiji.
