• The son of Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been charged in Australia with domestic violence offences.
• The 36-year-old is charged with 17 counts of stalking, assault, and choking.
• He is also accused of causing property damage and illegally distributing an intimate image.

The son of Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been charged in Australia with a series of domestic violence offences.

Ratu Meli Bainimarama, 36, is charged with 17 counts of stalking, assault, and choking.

He is also accused of causing property damage and illegally distributing an intimate image.

Mr Bainimarama has not entered a plea, but his lawyer says he will “rely on his good character” in any defence.

The alleged offences occurred in Sydney between February and May, but Mr Bainimarama was arrested last week following a police report earlier this month.

Over the weekend, the Fijian national’s lawyer successfully applied for a nationwide suppression order in the case.

He had argued that there was a risk that information that would not be permitted in court would be published and sway a jury.

However, on Friday morning, a magistrate lifted the suppression order, stating that there was nothing unusual about the case that warranted secrecy.

Mr. Bainimarama has been granted bail, and his case will be heard again in court on October 13.

He is Frank Bainimarama’s only son, who has been in power since 2007 after leading a military coup the year before.

The case comes at an awkward time for the politician, who will face another former PM in an election later this year, Sitivena Rabuka.

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