Press Release

Court Lifts Stop Departure Order for Rasova

Posted by Media Team 26 January 2026

The Suva Magistrates Court has granted former Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) Member of Parliament, Simione Rasova, a variation of his bail conditions to allow travel to Australia for work purposes.

The ruling was delivered today by Resident Magistrate Pulekeria Low, who ordered the immediate release of Mr. Rasova’s passport and permitted him to travel to Canberra, Australian Capital Territory this month.

The court further directed that the Stop Departure Order against Mr. Rasova be lifted from 26 January 2026 to 5 February 2026, with the Immigration Department to be notified immediately.

As part of the conditions, Mr. Rasova is required to return his passport to the Criminal Court Registry on or before 9 February 2026, and the Stop Departure Order will be reinstated on 6 February 2026.

He is also required to pay a cash bail bond of $2,500.

Mr. Rasova will be travelling to attend the Liberal Party Campaign Summer School and International Program scheduled for 29–31 January 2026, following an invitation from the Liberal Party of Australia, in his capacity as the General Secretary of SODELPA.

Mr. Rasova is charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count of Giving False Information to a Public Servant and one count of Obtaining a Financial Advantage.

It is alleged that between 1 July 2019 and 30 April 2020, he falsely declared his permanent residence as Nasenivolau, Nabouwalu Village, Ono, Kadavu Island, and obtained $21,350 in parliamentary allowances.

Mr. Rasova was represented by Tomasi Tuitoga, while FICAC Senior State Counsel Josann Pene appeared for the prosecution.

The matter will be called again on 9 February 2026 for a No Case to Answer ruling.

The matter has been adjourned to 9 February 2026 for mention and a hearing date for the defence’s case has been set for 13 February 2026.