FORMER attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said in court yesterday that he could not afford to lose his kidney.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum made the statement while requesting the Suva Magistrate’s Court for the release of his passport to travel to Singapore for medical treatment.
“I need to get medical attention because under the Constitution the person on trial needs to be healthy in order to defend myself against these fictitious charges,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“Fiji does not have the medical resources to help me with my condition because Fiji does not do robotic surgeries.”
The former politician said he also would not abandon his family.
“I have a mother and father to take care of. I have my wife and three children who are currently schooling in Nadi.
“I believe I have done nothing wrong.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum refuted claims from the State that he had travelled to Bangladesh recently.
“I have only been to Bangladesh twice while I was a minister.”
DPP lawyer Nancy Tikoisuva said a report by the Chief Surgeon of Health revealed that Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s medical needs could be intervened with the resources currently available in Fiji.
“And we have current facilities for your needs,” said Ms Tikoisuva while cross examining Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.
“The only reason you are trying to convince the law is to leave the country and not return.
“This is not an emergency need and if it was, he should have presented himself to be medically evacuated out of the country or the emergency unit.
“The accused has not provided his itinerary for travel and the reason for this is because he has no intention to return to the country.”
Magistrate Yogesh Prasad will decide tomorrow on whether Mr Sayed-Khaiyum can travel.
