State presents evidence against Waheed and Mahloof

The State has presented evidence against Thoddoo MP Ali Waheed and Galolhu-dhekunu MP Ahmed Mahloof, in the trial against them for obstructing Police duty during a protest.

The State presented four Police officers as evidence at the trial at Criminal Court today, and said that the officers are willing to provide testimonies that Waheed and Mahloof obstructed Police duty, created unrest and broke through Police barricades.

The Judge of Criminal Court presiding over this case said that the next session will be held on 22 October at 9:00am, during which the officers can present their testimonies.

The Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office earlier withdrew the case against Waheed and Mahloof, but decided to file it to Court again for a second time.

Waheed’s lawyer Husnu Su’ood raised a point of procedure at the first session of this trial, saying that PG Office does not have the authority to file cases which have been withdrawn; however, the Court decided that the PG Office does in fact have this authority.

Su’ood said today that the Court’s decision on the point of order had been appealed to High Court, but that he is not informed if the case had been accepted by the Court. He requested that the trial be halted until the High Court makes a decision on this matter.

The Judge replied that the trial will be continued unless the High Court issues an order that it should be halted.

Mahloof requested today that the trial be completed soon. He said that his memory of the events that transpired was fading, as it has now been many months since the events in question actually took place.

The State has accused Waheed and Mahloof of leading a group of protesters on 25 March 2010 near the President’s residence, to shift road blocks placed by the Police.