Rewa footballer Merrill Nand has been released on bail by the Suva Magistrate’s Court which found that the State had failed to substantiate claims that he posed a flight risk or was likely to interfere with witnesses.
On Wednesday Magistrate Yogesh Prasad granted bail on a $1000 bond, subject to strict conditions, including a stop-departure order preventing Mr Nand from leaving the country.
Mr Nand faces three counts of rape, two counts of assault and one count of sexual assault related to alleged incidents last year.
In his ruling, Magistrate Prasad found there was insufficient evidence to support the State’s assertions that Mr Nand was a flight risk or would interfere with witnesses and held that there was no merit in the objections to bail.
Mr Nand is expected to appear before the High Court today.
