4 Oct 2010

Fiji magistrate defers Chaudhry case

2:04 pm on 4 October 2010

A magistrate's court in Fiji has released a former prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, on bail after the magistrate excused himself from the bench.

Last week, Mr Chaudhry was apprehended for allegedly violating emergency regulations when he met sugar farmers in the Rakiraki area.

He, and five others, were in court today over the alleged breaches but according to the Fiji Times website the magistrate excused himself from the bench because one of the accused was known to him.

The Fiji Times says a plea by police for Mr Chaudhry and his associates to surrender their travel documents was dismissed.

The six men are due to appear in the Rakiraki Magistrates Court on Wednesday.