Three days given to Ziyad to assign a lawyer

Three more days have been given to the former colonel of Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Mohamed Ziyaz to respond to the charges of terrorism against him in the case of unlawful arrest of the chief judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed.

He was given the extra time at last night’s hearing because he said he needed time to respond. He had four lawyers with him last night.

The government says Ziyad is charged with terrorism for participating in the operation to arrest Abdulla Mohamed on the night of 16 January 2012 and taking him to Kaafu Girifushi under the authority of the Commander in Chief of MNDF, Mohamed Nasheed.

Mohamed Ziyad is charged under the article 2 – B and article 6 – B of the anti-terrorism law.