18 Feb 2008

High Court in Fiji set to hear costs claim against Ballu Khan

6:28 am on 18 February 2008

The High Court in Fiji is to hear submissions over a Crown claim of sixteen thousand dollars costs from a New Zealand businessman accused of plotting to kill Fiji's interim Prime Minister.

Ballu Khan was arrested in early November but charged with conspiracy to murder Frank Bainimarama and two cabinet members about two months later.

During that period Mr Khan was mainly under armed guard in a Suva hospital.

The New Zealander filed habas corpus proceedings against the Crown, but withdrew the suit after being charged.

His lawyer, Peter Williams QC, says Mr Khan was justified in bringing the proceedings because he was illegally detained.

Ballu Khan and ten others charged with conspiracy to murder are currently on bail awaiting trial.