Head of Maleesha denies fraud charges

Head of Maleesha Hajj and Umra Group Ismail Abdul Latheef has denied the fraud charges pressed against him by the State.

At the trial in Criminal Court today, the judge asked Ismail Abdul Latheef to explain his reasons for denying the charges.

Ismail Abdul Latheef said that he can only give his reasons at the next session of the trial, and was granted this request by Judge Abdullah Mohamed.

When the State was asked to present evidence to support the charges against Ismail Abdul Latheef, State Prosecutor Aishath Mohamed said that evidence will be presented after Ismail Abdul Latheef provides his reasons for denying the charges.

The State has accused Ismail Abdul Latheef of defrauding a group of people by collecting MVR 8.6 million with the promise of arranging the hajj pilgrimage in the hijri year 1433.

Gaaf Alif Kolamaafushi Council Member Adhnaan Hassan as well as two Indians are among the people who paid the fee to Maleesha to go to hajj. Maleesha had collected most money from the people of Thaa Guraidhoo.