Adeeb, Ziyath’s statements to be taken on same day

The Criminal Court on Monday made the decision to take the witness statements from former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and former Managing Director at Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Abdulla Ziyath on the same date.

It was previously decided that Ziyath’s statement will be taken during the hearing held today, and he had even gone to the court for it.

However, before he was brought into the courtroom, on behalf of Yoosuf Naeem - a former parliamentary representative for the Felidhoo constituency, who has been charged with taking a bribe – an objection was raised.

On behalf of Naeem, it was requested to take witness statements from Adheeb and Ziyath separately – but on the same date.

Moreover, he requested for arrangements to be made so that both don’t overhear each other’s statements as the hearing is live-streamed.

“If they are to give statements on separate days, there is a chance to modify the others' words based on the one previous ones’ statement,” noted Naeem’s lawyer.

The defense lawyer noted that this does not happen only in Maldives, and that in other countries, laws are in place to prevent it from occurring.

Notably, Yameen’s lawyers also sided with this objection by Naeem’s side.

 Though the state did not object to taking statements on the same date, the lawyer did highlight that it has been informed ahead that how and when statements will be taken. Hence, based on that they have arranged dates and times for state witnesses to give their testimonies.

The lawyer stated that there was no objection from them to changing these arrangements to take statements from them on the same day.

Meanwhile, presiding Criminal Court Judge Ahmed Shakeel noted that the schedule had been previously shared and that canceling the hearing would impact all the other hearings set for that day.

“The court does not believe taking the statement on a certain state would impact the way it is weighed or have any effects on the hearing.”

Though the judge further spoke in a manner indicating that the court might proceed as planned, it had seemed that the decision was reverted after comments made by Yameen’s lawyer – former Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel.

He stated that when the court changes scheduled dates or moves around timings, the state and defense rearrange their work accordingly. He added that in these cases, the highest priority should be given to the rights of the defendant and that such was the case in civilized societies and in books.

“Staying away from anything that hinders the rights of the defendant even in the slightest manner.”

After this, Judge Shakeel said that the court always prioritizes making arrangements in a manner that does not step on to the rights of the accused.

He then looked into the dates and timings of the statements of other witnesses and said that there were no obstacles to taking testimonies of Adeeb and Ziyyath on the same date.

It was finalized that their statements will be taken on August 30, after summoning them in person.

The judge also revealed that prior to that on August 18 and 23, statements will be taken from an additional two witnesses through the embassy.

In connection to this case, Yameen is on trial for money laundering as well as bribery.  He is accused of misusing his position and taking a USD 1 million bribe to facilitate the sale of Aarah to Naeem and laundering the money.

The state has also charged Naeem with giving the bribe.