Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed’s trial to begin this Sunday

Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed’s obstruction of the State trial is scheduled to begin at Criminal Court this Monday.

The first hearing in the obstruction trial has been scheduled for 3 pm.

The State has pressed two charges against the Chief Justice; obstruction of the State and destruction of evidence.

Details regarding the obstruction charge against the Chief Justice is unclear at this point.

Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed have all been charged with destruction of evidence.

All three were arrested within hours a State of Emergency was invoked in Maldives on February 5. Maumoon was arrested from his residence by the police with Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Judge Ali Hameed were arrested from the Supreme Court by military officers.

The three influential figures are under investigation for an attempt to stage a coup to remove incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom from power.