A former employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court facing four corruption related charges.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption charged Azreen Shabnam Khan with A count each of abuse of office, obtaining a financial advantage, causing a loss and giving false information to public servant.
Khan is alleged to have fraudulently caused payments amounting to $40,559.37 from last January to March this year from monthly allowances sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Fiji High Commission in New Delhi where she used to serve as the Second Secretary.
She is alleged to have certified 35 payment vouchers to receive $26,214.44 and further caused the certifying of 15 payment vouchers for various claims amounting to $14,344.93.
Khan is also alleged to have given the former Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs false information regarding the interviews and appointments of Locally Engaged Staff, employed by the Fiji High Commission in New Delhi, which then led the Acting Permanent Secretary to approve the employment of the Locally Engaged Staff.
FICAC State Counsel Laite Bokini informed the Court no application to have the matter transferred to the High Court would be made at this stage.
Khan then elected to be tried in the Magistrates Court.
Resident Magistrate Kashyapa Wickaramasekara, granted bail with a bail bond of $5,000 with two sureties.
A Stop Departure Order was also issued with Khan being instructed to surrender all travel documents and to report to the Valelevu Police Station every Saturday.
The matter was adjourned to the 15th of next month plea.
