Fiji's former prime minister Frank Bainimarama, who says he "served with integrity", has been granted bail and released after spending the night in custody.
Mr Bainimarama and former Fiji police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho were released in Suva on Friday after pleading not guilty to one charge each of abuse of office.
Speaking outside court after being released, Mr Bainimarama said he "served with integrity" as prime minister, with "the best interests" of all Fijians at heart.
"I've been served this charge. This charge against my legacy," he said, after shaking hands with supporters outside court.
"So I am going to fight this charge not only for my reputation but for democracy for all Fijians, and of course for our constitution."
Four MPs from Mr Bainimarama's political party, Fiji First, provided bond for the former prime minister.
The two have also surrendered their travel documents, which included a diplomatic passport for Mr Bainimarama.
Fiji police arrested and laid charges on Thursday night after questioning Mr Bainimarama and Brigadier-General Qiliho for the past month over allegations that they directed police to close investigations into senior officials at the University of the South Pacific in 2019.
Mr Bainimarama, who led Fiji for 16 years, lost December's general election and was suspended from Fiji's parliament last month after delivering a divisive speech where he accused the new government of "setting out to destroy constitutional democracy" and called on the military to act.
He was forced to apologise to the Fijian public as a condition of his suspension from parliament.
On Wednesday, Mr Bainimarama announced his resignation from the Pacific nation's parliament, "with immediate effect", but vowed to remain in politics.
Police 'clear the air'
In a press conference on Thursday night, Fiji Police chief of intelligence, investigations and prosecutions and Acting Assistant Commissioner Sakeo Raikaci said a special taskforce was undertaking "further investigations into other matters arising from this case".
Addressing the people of Fiji, he said he wanted to "clear the air" and "reassure" the public about the taskforce investigating the alleged crime.
"Their work has been labelled by many to be different to the handling of investigations witnessed in the past, where once a report is received, suspects are immediately brought in for questioning and kept in custody," he said last night.
"I want to reiterate the independence of the investigation process, as what is being witnessed, is not an attempt to purposely delay the investigation or questioning process, but this is the proper manner in which investigations are conducted."
