Aarah trial: Officer who conducted forensic analysis of Ziyath’s laptop testifies

The Criminal Court on Sunday heard testimony from the police officer who prepared the forensic analysis report on a laptop which belonged to former MMPRC managing director Abdulla Ziyath – one of the state’s key witnesses in the trial against former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom over the sale of V. Aarah for resort development.

Yameen is on trial for money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of the island.

He is accused of misusing his position and taking a USD 1 million bribe to facilitate the sale of Aarah to Yoosuf Naeem, a former parliamentary representative for Felidhoo constituency, and laundering the money.

The state has also charged Naeem with giving the bribe.

Both pled “not guilty” to charges.

The court is currently hearing testimony from state witnesses.

Sunday’s hearing began close to noon and ended after 04:00 pm, with a one-hour recess in between.

Yameen and Naeem’s lawyers posed the police officer with multiple technical questions during cross examination.

Ibrahim Zuhair, who works at the police forensic lab, had prepared the forensic analysis report on one of Ziyath’s laptops. He analyzed communications made between Ziyath and three other individuals via Viber; Naeem, former vice president Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor, and a woman.

Both Ziyath and Adeeb are key state witnesses in the case.