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The lawyer for New Zealand millionaire businessman Ballu Khan says his client may have been implicated in an alleged assassination plot because of his business rivals' influence on the military.
Police allege Khan is a key figure in the alleged plot to assassinate Fiji coup leader Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama last year.
He was yesterday granted bail after he pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit murder in a special hearing in the Suva magistrates court in Fiji.
He had been held in hospital under police guard since his arrest on November 3, when he was allegedly beaten by the military.
His lawyer, Auckland QC Peter Williams, said Khan was still a sick man, who was suffering the residue of injuries to his head, kidneys and body.
"But I think psychologically at least being at home now is going to be of a benefit to him," he told Radio New Zealand.
"I think it will be a while before he's a completely well man."
Leaving the hospital yesterday amid police sirens, followed by negotiations with police and then the late night court hearing had been "a bit like a day out of LA Law", Mr Williams said.
"It was certainly a very robust and exciting day."
He was not suprised by the charges laid against Khan, he said.
"He commenced a business here and he had rivals and we believe that they had influence on the military.
"The military have been discriminating against him for some time long before this and of course as you know we have a military government here, so it's a complicated thing, but there's no doubt there's been malice against him for some time and I think that has come to fruition in these charges."
Police had vigorously opposed bail, wanting Khan in custody so they could interrogate him again, Mr Williams said.
"He's certainly not well enough to be in the police cells and we've got medical certificates to that effect."
Khan "absolutely" denied any involvement in the alleged plot, he said.
"Mr Khan is a complete and absolute gentleman, he's never been violent to anybody.
"He's a man of impeccable reputation ... He's a very likeable person and a person of integrity and I don't believe for a moment there's any validity in any of these allegations."
Khan knew some of the other people charged, because he had employed them as security after learning there could be attacks on his life, Mr Williams said.
He would like to get Khan back to New Zealand, but did not think it was likely, he said.
"I think at the present moment we've got to prepare for a long and robust trial. I think that probably will be eventually what will occur."
The New Zealand Government was sympathetic to the situation, Mr Williams said.
" I feel there is that background of support there, but on the other hand each country has its own sovereignty and has its own judicial system and the judicial system has to proceed."
Last night's hearing had gone well , he said.
"It was handled in a very judicial and impeccable way and so the rule of law still exists in Fiji, I hope."
Khan is alleged to have planned to assassinate interim Prime Minister Cdre Bainimarama, interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum between August and November last year.
At the hearing he was granted a $1000 bail with strict conditions. He must report to the Central Police Station in Suva three days a week, remain at his Kavika Place home with a curfew between 6pm and 6am, and not interfere with witnesses in the case.
Police were instructed to hand over Khan's passport to the court.
The matter was adjourned to January 15 to allow the prosecution to disclose relevant documents to the magistrates court before the case is referred to the High Court.
- NZPA
