All cases against ex-VP Adeeb to be returned to PG’s Office

The council of judges at Criminal Court has made the decision to return all cases filed at the court against former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The High Court, this May, overturned a 15-year prison sentence against Adeeb over the explosion on board presidential speedboat, Finifenma, in 2015; and the 8-year prison sentence issued against Adeeb for embezzling USD 5 million which should have been received by the State as acquisition cost for Lh. Maabinhura.

The two cases were returned to Criminal Court – which already has approximately 10 open cases against the former VP - for retrials.

A reliable source confirms the council of judges at Criminal Court has made the decision to return all the cases filed against Adeeb to the PG’s Office.

The recommendation was made by Chief Judge at Criminal Court, Ahmed Hailam. One judge had opposed returning the cases to the PG’s Office, but the decision passed with the majority vote of all other judges.

Judge Hailam opted to press the judge’s council for the decision after his initial instructions to the court’s registrar to return the cases to the PG’s Office was rejected.

The reason behind the decision is unclear at this point. But the court is expected to formally return all its cases against Adeeb this Sunday.

Adeeb currently goes not have any lengthy prison sentence against him, and is serving a 15-day prison sentence for contempt of court under house arrest on medical grounds.

The registrar at Criminal Court was not immediately available for comment regarding the court’s decision.

High Court made the decision to overturn the prison sentences against Adeeb and order retrials on grounds he may have been a victim of political persecution and denied a free trial.