Witnesses: Officers who arrested Judge Abdulla did not specify a reason

Witnesses in the terrorism trial against former President Mohamed Nasheed have said in court on Saturday night, that no court order was presented and no reason was given when Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed (Judge Abdulla) was arrested in 2012.

The witnesses who testified were Judge Abdulla’s wife, his wife’s sister, and a police officer.

Judge Abdulla’s wife said that they were having dinner at home when he was forcibly arrested.

Judge Abdulla was heard asking why he was being arrested and where he was being taken, but with no reply, she said.

She said that he was surrounded by officers who also denied his request to go to his room to change his clothes, and he had to change his clothes in front of them.

The testimony given in court by his wife on Saturday night matched the testimony of his wife’s sister.

His wife’s sister said that she was told by her mother that she heard the judge ask the officers for a court order. Moreover, a witness called to the stand by Nasheed’s defence lawyer, Abdulla Shair, said in response to a question, that he also heard Judge Abdulla ask for a court order.

The third witness who presented his testimony on Saturday night was Chief Superintendent of Police Abdul Mannaan Yoosuf.

He said that Nasheed met with a group of police officers on 18 January 2012 and said that Judge Abdulla will not be released, and that he would not be allowed to go within 100 feet of the court.

Prior to the witnesses presenting their testimonies, Nasheed and his lawyer voiced their objection to those individuals presenting testimonies.

Regarding a question posed by Shair to a witness, State Prosecutor Abdulla Rabiu said that lawyers of the Prosecutor General’s Office meet with witnesses chosen by the state to show them the investigation statements, before they present their testimonies in court. He said that this is normal practice, and not special to this case.

This is done to ensure their willingness to provide testimonies in court, and assess if they would face any danger by doing so, he said.

Nasheed’s lawyer said that this was not in line with judicial procedures.

The state prosecutor withdrew the state's remaining witnesses - former Commissioner of Police Ahmed Faseeh, former Deputy Commissioner of Police Ismail Atheef, and Colonel Waheed.

Nasheed, presently in police custody, expressed concern over the manner in which the trial was conducted.

The judges initially announced that issues related to documentary evidence was on Saturday night’s agenda, but this was later cancelled when Nasheed’s lawyer requested for more time for preparation.

Nasheed said regarding the documentary evidence that he was not able to watch any videos as there were no TVs or computers in Dhoonidhoo, where he is being held by the police. He requested the court to arrange for him to be able to watch videos, even if it meant he is transferred home.

Judge Abdulla Didi said before adjourning the trial, that the court would consider making arrangements for Nasheed to watch the videos with his lawyers.