The Criminal Court has decided to take the testimony of the Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed in the trial against former President Mohamed Nasheed for the detention of the judge during his presidency.
The judges overseeing the trial made this decision during the Monday night’s hearing of the trial despite the state previously stating that Judge Abdulla will not be involved during any aspect of the hearings.
During the hearing, the judges had refused to accept the defense prepared by Nasheed stating that it could not nullify the state evidences being put forward by the state against him.
State had presented video and audio recordings against Nasheed during the hearing, which include a speech by Nasheed at the Usfasgandu Grounds as well as several documents concerning the Supreme Court and Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).
When Nasheed was given the opportunity to present his defense to the court, he had repeatedly asked for the assistance of his lawyers. He had also claimed that this marks the most unfair trial in the history of the country and said that it does not even seem like a trial hearing anymore.
Nasheed had also requested all citizens to bring the judges to justice after stating that the trial was unfair. He also stressed that he would rather prefer a verdict being issued against him than progressing with the trial without the assistance of a lawyer.
When Nasheed had requested to appoint a lawyer repeatedly, state lawyers had refused to give him the opportunity to appoint a new lawyer.
However the judges bench noted that he still has the opportunity to appoint a new lawyer and stated that there is no reason as to why the trial should be halted.
Judges decide to take Judge Abdulla’s testimony
