Aiyaz: Case worrying

FORMER attorney-general Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum has expressed concern over the way a closed police case against him has been reopened.

During a media conference on Sunday, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum explained that it was worrying how the processes of the investigation, over his alleged involvement in two bombing incidents in 1987, were being followed when they were closed in 2021.

“The reason I am talking about this is because this matter has already been vetted,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“In fact, the DPP way back in 2021, had made a decision regarding this complaint.

“It had already been reported back then.

“There was a release in 2021 from the Office of the DPP where the DPP had said that following the review of the police docket in respect to the complaint it is our opinion that there is insufficient credible or reliable evidence to support any criminal charges being laid against the attorney-general.

“And therefore, the docket has been returned with instructions not to charge and no further actions required.

“Yet somewhat oddly this matter has now been rekindled despite the DPP saying that this matter could go no further.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum claimed the investigation was now under a strict timeline.

“So, the police did tell me and frankly I do feel sorry for some of the police officers on the CID that on January 15 they sent the same file to the DPP and on March 18 they got the file back after some two months.

“Now they are under a strict timeline to return the file back.”

He said he was worried about the process of the investigation.

“I have never made such a statement before, as you know.

“I have been called in for interviews since last year. Unmeritorious the matters have been, but I have never discussed them publicly.

“But this matter has already been decided.”

Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew said the investigation was ongoing and that they would not be able to make any comment for now.

The Fiji Times was also unable to get comments from DPP counsel Nancy Kotoisuva who is reportedly handling the case.

Picture: SOPHIE RALULU Former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was questioned for over three hours at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters last week .