Hearing in case against Azima scheduled for Tuesday after one-year hiatus

Criminal Court has scheduled a hearing in the case against former Legal Affairs Minster at the President’s Office, Aishath Azima Shakoor for Tuesday, after a one-year hiatus. 

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am Tuesday. 

Azima was charged with facilitating money laundering and providing false information to a state institution. 

The charges against her stem from the allegation she acted in violation of the agreement with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to keep USD 1 million in suspected stolen funds deposited by SOF Pvt. Ltd to former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s personal bank account at Maldives Islamic Bank in an escrow account, and of providing false information to ACC in its investigation against Yameen for money laundering. 

Charges against Azima were filed on February 17, 2019. The last hearing in the case was held on October 20, 2020. 

The case was initially heard by Judge Ahmed Hailam – who was later dismissed. The case was taken over by Judge Hassan Saeed – who later recused himself. 

The case is now is now being overseen by Judge Ali Adam.