Former Fiji PM released on bail

Former Prime Minister of Fiji Mahendra Pal Chaudhry. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Former Fiji prime minister Mahendra Pal Chaudhry has been released on bail, following his arrest for allegedly holding a meeting without a permit.

Chaudhry and five others - Sanjeet Maharaj, Ganga Dharan, Gajraj Singh, Abhay Raj Singh and Shammi Kapoor - appeared in Tavua Magistrates Court on Monday.

The group was taken into custody last Friday and charged with unlawful assembly under the public emergency regulation, following Friday's alleged meeting.

They did not enter a plea and Magistrate Sadiq Faizal Koya released the men on a $FJ500 cash bail, the Fijivillage news website reported.

Chaudhry's lawyer, Peter Williams QC, told Radio New Zealand his client was assessing the impact of the drought on sugar farmers when he was arrested.

Mr Williams, who is also representing Chaudhry on charges of money laundering and tax evasion, said the cases are not related.

"The one thing that they have in common, none of them have, in my submission, have any foundation whatsoever," he said.

Chaudhry was deposed as Fiji's prime minister in a nationalist coup in 2000 after being held hostage for 56 days.

The group of men will reappear in Rakiraki Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

- AAP