President Nasheed decides not to go to appeal

Claiming he was not granted enough time, the former president Mohamed Nasheed has decided not to go for an appeal with his 13 year prison sentence by the Criminal Court.

President Nasheed’s office issued a press release tonight saying that the former president decided not to go for the appeal because the Criminal Court has not released the End of Trial report to this day in the case of the former president Nasheed.

Nasheed’s office said that the former president believes that he would receive the report of the trial someday.

“He (former president Nasheed) believes that he would be exonerated when he receives the official report. And observing the cases related to the arrest of the Judge Abdulla Mohamed under MNDF custody are important for a meaningful defence.” The press release says.

The press release also says that since the appeal would depend on the proceedings of the court, the witnesses and the legitimacy of the evidence presented, time is required to review and study the case files before an appeal.

The press issue says that Nasheed’s lawyers get the appeal hearing within the points of appeal and cannot make the points that were not submitted to the High Court as part of the appeal.

“President Nasheed believes the most important document for his appeal process is the trial report. There is no way of comparing what truly happened at the court and the contents of the trial report without getting the said report in the first place. The report would contain the witness testimonies, court proceedings and judges decisions.” Says the press release issued by the former president’s office.

The press release also said that the criminal court is obstructing Nasheed’s constitutional right for an appeal process by withholding the trial report and hindering through clerical means.

Criminal Court said that the brief report have been handed to Nasheed’s lawyers and he can appeal at the higher courts based on it’s content. And the detailed report is being delayed because the former president have not signed his statements.