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Interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is flanked by Captain Esala Teleni, left, and ACP Jahir Khan, in Suva yesterday

TRAVEL bans placed by the Interim Government have been lifted from all individuals, except those suspected of fraud, mismanagement of funds and those with cases pending in court.

Interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the many people, including pro-democracy activists, who were barred from travelling overseas for political reasons' could now do so.

"...those who are currently under investigations for fraud, alleged misappropriation of public funds or are about to be brought before a tribunal or court of law."are still banned from travel.

This includes those with pending criminal or civil matters.

The ban will effectively be lifted on Monday.

He also announced that ad hoc complaints would no longer be entertained by the military.

Any further complaints must instead be lodged with the complaints section at Government Buildings.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the military refuted all claims it was looking for people making political statements and maintained that any member of the army or police who abused their powers would be disciplined by the appropriate agency.

"There are individuals who are claiming that they are being sought after, we categorically state they are not,"he said.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the country was still in a state of emergency because of the security concerns.

He said need for a state of emergency was reviewed daily.

Meanwhile, a three-member tribunal to investigate allegations of corruption levelled at ousted Chief Justice Daniel Fatiaki and Chief Magistrate Naomi Matanitobua will not be established in a rush, said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.

He said that was because the tribunal personnel would have to be cleared of any links with senior level judiciary members before being appointed.

The AG's Office has already received a letter from the President requesting a list of names for the establishment of the tribunal but Mr Sayed- Khaiyum said they were not in a hurry to appoint people considering that members needed to be beyond reproach.

"It is important that independence be maintained on the tribunal. What's important is that we get the tribunal right first," he stressed.

He said that was important considering that Justice Fatiaki had made serious complaints against other senior members of the judiciary.

He said Justice Fatiaki, was still on full pay while suspended from office, and that the CJ was still living in his government quarters.

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