Nazim

Defense lawyers of the former Defense Minister Colonel-retired Mohamed Nazim, who has been charged with import and possession of a firearm, has accused the state of influencing witnesses presented by the state.

In the hearing that started at 11 a.m. today, the defense lawyers asked the witnesses if any meetings between them and the PG (Prosecutor General) has taken place, and how long it lasted. The prosecution said that it was not a crime to meet and talk with the witnesses. Maumoon Hameed of Nazim’s defense team responded by saying that “influencing a witness is against the law.” And the questions were asked due to suspicions of influencing the witnesses.

The anonymous witness, who was exposed as a police officer, answered a question from Maumoon Hameed by saying that the prosecution has not forced him to say or not say anything. And the question in the courtroom was not discussed and only asked of him to give a true testimony.

Two anonymous witnesses presented by the state presented their testimonies in today’s hearing. They were both part of the police team that searched Nazim’s house. The two witnesses presented the accounts of the search and conflicts were found in their story. When the defense lawyers asked if a compartment in the ceiling where a light was installed was searched, the first witness said that they did not check it. The second witness, however, said that it was searched after climbing on to a chair which was brought in from the sitting room. Regarding the testimony, Nazim spoke in court saying that the area of the light on the ceiling was not checked with the help of a chair.

The two witnesses who testified in court today said that when they went to Galolhu Enif to conduct a search, they did not know to who lived there. They said that Nazim was in the sitting room sofa when they arrived, and the search was conducted in his presence. The two witnesses confirmed that a handgun, two bullets and a magazine was found.

The witnesses said that the bag used by the forensic police during the search was not showed to Nazim or any other person. And no videos, only pictures were taken during the search of Nazim’s bedroom on 18 January.

Noting that the social media have rumors that could potentially influence the trial, the judges on the bench said that if it continues, the trial may have to hold in closed sessions. And if the regulations from the judges are being ignored when questioning the witnesses, the questioning of the witnesses would be omitted from the trial.

While all of the testimonies from anonymous witness have been presented today, another hearing has been scheduled for tomorrow.