Former journalist Charlie Charters is leaving Fiji for work after denying corruption-related charges involving a mystery whistleblower.

The Suva Magistrates Court approved a bail variation application on Wednesday which means the British-Fijian national can travel to Australia from Thursday.

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has charged Charters, 57, with two counts of aiding and abetting an unidentified FICAC whistleblower to divulge confidential information about the organisation.

The former senior manager at the Fiji Rugby Union pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared in court on Wednesday, flanked by Juleen Fatiaki of Fatiaki Law.

Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne warned Charters' three sureties that if the accused absconds, they will have to pay FJ$20,000 (NZ$14,915) each.

Charters was also ordered to pay an additional cash bail bond of FJ$2500 (NZ$1865) and is required to return to Fiji by 26 March.

A trial date has been fixed for 1-2 September this year.

Somaratne reminded Charters that if he fails to return to Fiji, the proceedings will continue in his absence.

He said the outcome could be determined by a trial in absentia.

Charters has been using his Facebook platform to highlight what he describes as shortcomings of Rabuka's coalition government, which came into power in December 2022.

His posts have focused mainly on governance concerns, including the inner workings of FICAC and the Fiji Sports Council, citing publicly available...

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