Ex-President Yameen’s Aarah case proceeding at the pace of a snail!

Whilst the money laundering case against former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development is proceeding at the pace of a snail – Criminal Court’s Chief Judge Ahmed Shakeel, who presides over the case, has stated that efforts were underway to livestream hearings prior to commencement of the trial.

Yameen was charged with money laundering and taking a bribe in connection to the case in November 2021. 

He is accused of misusing his position and taking a USD 1 million bribe as well as laundering the money in the sale of Aarah to Yoosuf Naeem, a former parliamentary representative for Felidhoo constituency. 

Meanwhile, Naeem is charged with giving a bribe in the same case. 

The last hearing in the case was held on February 16, at which Judge Shakeel granted the defendants a period of seven days for the submission of evidence following which he announced another hearing will be held soon.

Despite this, a hearing was only scheduled 26 days after, being today. At the hearing, both Yameen and Naseem’s lawyers had requested an additional opportunity for the submission of evidence. The lawyers stated that they will submitting evidence in writing should they be granted the opportunity.

Both lawyers reasoned their request for an additional opportunity for the submission of evidence as having not received information of some witnesses which contributed to the witness list being incomplete.

During the chance the prosecution was given to present evidence at today’s hearing, they had requested all parties submit evidence on the same day. Judge Shakeel had objected to this, as it is not a procedural requirement. Therefore, he had asked the prosecution to submit evidence today, if they were ready.  

As neither of the defendants had objected to this, the prosecution submitted their evidence in writing. No details were disclosed regarding the evidence submitted.

‘As slow as a snail’

At today’s hearing, Judge Shakeel noted that hearings in the case have not taken place according to the timetable formulated. On this note, he underscored that two scheduled hearings had been cancelled already.

Subsequently, even though Naeem’s side had requested additional 10 days for the submission of evidence – Judge Shakeel had only granted five days. He also announced that an additional hearing in the case will be held on March 31.

At this hearing, all parties to the case will be given the opportunity to present pretrial motions, if any, and address the evidence filed, in summary. Following this, the judge will decide whether the case can be overseen as a civil matter or not.

‘Working on making arrangements to livestream hearings’

In today’s hearing as well, former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed who is amongst the members of Yameen’s legal team, had raised concerns over hearings being held without it being livestreamed.

Responding to this, Judge Shakeel said that efforts were underway to make arrangements to livestream the hearings – whereas the target is to be able to livestream starting from the hearing which is held after a decision is made regarding whether the case can or cannot be overseen a civil matter.

Although Yameen had requested to livestream the hearings, Naeem had objected to livestreaming the hearings previously.

Judge Shakeel has responded to Yameen’s request, stating that the hearings cannot be live-streamed at the moment as the Court lacks the resources to do so, but added that as soon as they acquire the resources for live streaming, the hearings in the case will be live-streamed as requested.