Witness: Judge Abdulla was told by Tholhath he could go to UK

A Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) officer has testified in court that Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed (Judge Abdulla) was, during his time in Girifushi, told by then Defense Minister Tholhath Ibrahim Kaleyfaan that he had the opportunity to go with his family to the UK.

At today's hearing in the trial of Tholhath charged with terrorism, psychologist Aishath Zeena testified that Tholhath texted her phone to invite Judge Abdulla to go to England.

When she was asked what the reply was from Judge Abdulla, she said she does not remember his reply.

Zeena said that Tholhath called Judge Abdulla two to three times when he was in Girifushi to check on him. And met with him twice.

The second person to testify to day was the former Vice Chief of Defense Force and the current CEO of IGM hospital, Farhath Shahee.

He said that Tholhath met with the MNDF staff about assisting the Police before the arrest of Judge Abdulla.

He said that Tholhath did not mention arresting the judge but he did say that MNDF may have to arrest some of their own.

After the testimonials, the prosecutor said that it is fine not to take the testimonials of the former Commissioner of Police Ahmed Faseeh, former Deputy Commissioner of Police Ismail Atheef and Colonel Vais. (All, which were originally presented as witnesses by the prosecution.) But, the prosecution said, it is very important to bring in the former Intelligence Commander of MNDF Ahmed Nimal and Ahmed Rasheed. And the government is working to bring the two to court.