Grace Road president Daniel Kim filed an application in the Lautoka High Court yesterday to be released from the custody of the Minister for Home Affairs and his permanent secretary for Home Affairs, stating in an affidavit filed in court that “I am kept in prison cells and sometimes even in solitary confinement”.

The High Court yesterday granted orders that Mr Kim can’t be removed from Fiji pending his appeal on a constitutional redress matter before the courts.

Mr Kim has informed the court in his affidavit that he was made to wear prison clothes.

“I am made to eat food that prisoners eat. My hair has been cut by prison authorities and it has been cut to the same style or design as that of serving prisoners,” he states.

“My timetable for visits by family and friends is the same as a prisoner. I am kept in prison cells and sometimes even in solitary confinement.

“Recently, I have been kept in solitary confinement which is a form of punishment in itself given that I am kept in a cell which is small in size without light.”

Mr Kim states his not a flight risk and that he will not abscond and leave the jurisdiction of Fiji.

“The Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration and/or the permanent secretary of Immigration and this court may wish to have some control over my whereabouts if I am released or on bail.

“I propose to, firstly, not be a burden on the public purse and/or cost the people of Fiji in supervising me either in the current custody or whilst released subject to conditions.”

“I undertake to pay all my costs and the costs incurred by the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration and/or the permanent secretary of Immigration in supervising and/or having control over my liberty.

“I propose to be on 24-hour watch or supervision, meaning an immigration officer or police officer can be present with me at all times. I undertake to pay the cost of the immigration officer or police officer.

“I propose to be subject to a curfew. Whether a 12-hour curfew or a 24-hour curfew.

“I could remain and reside at one place – at the Grace Road head office along Queens Rd, Navua next to Rampur College.”

Mr Kim proposes to the court that he will produce five sureties who will pay up a sum of $10,000 each as surety.

“I also propose to pay a cash bond of a sum that the court considers appropriate. At this stage, I offer a sum of $50,000 which may be forfeited to the State/ Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration and/or the permanent secretary of Immigration if I do not come to court or surrender myself to the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration and/or the permanent secretary of Immigration as and when required.”

A bail application for Sung Jin Lee who is also in detention has also been made and the matter on this bail application is expected to be called at the High Court in Lautoka soon.