Court rejects Mahloof’s witnesses in defense

Criminal Court has decided not to hear testimony from witnesses in defense for MP Ahmed Mahloof in the trial against him for obstructing police officers from following their duty.

Mahloof is accused of breaking through police barricades on March 25, at around 9:30 pm during opposition protests in Male’.

Judge Ali Adam announced on Monday during the hearing that he had decided not to allow for witnesses in defense.

A police officer testified during an early hearing that he saw Mahloof breaking through police barricades, and two other officers testified that they heard the officer saying Mahloof had broken through the barricades from their walkie-talkie.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Mahloof said that only one state witness testified to seeing him break through barricades, and that he had submitted multiple witnesses to prove the testimony false.

He said that he therefore could not accept the judge’s decision not to allow for defense witnesses.

Mahloof said that the judge had tried to schedule a hearing to make closing statements this Monday, but that it had instead been scheduled for Tuesday, at 1 pm.

He said that he knew a prison sentence was coming his way, and alleged that Chief Judge of

Criminal Court, Judge Abdul Baaree Yoosuf and President Abdulla Yameen were influencing trials against politicians.