Yameen: Livestreaming hearings is the only way I will be safe

Opposition leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has stated livestreaming hearings in the money laundering case against him in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development is the only way he will be safe.

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. 

Yameen had requested to livestream the hearings in the case previously – whereas Naeem had objected to it.

Criminal Court’s Chief Judge Ahmed Shakeel, who presides over the case, 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. At the last hearing, Judge Shakeel said that efforts were underway 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 proceed as a civil matter.

A hearing on the case was held at the Criminal Court today, during which Yameen’s lawyer Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed had questioned the judge again, regarding livestreaming the hearings. Judge Shakeel gave the same response as before.

Underscoring that journalists were taking part in the hearings – Judge Shakeel stressed that events unfolding at the hearings should be reported as they are. He described critiquing the trial as an act of influencing it.

Following this, Yameen had stated that livestreaming the hearings will be the only way he is safe – stressing the judge’s remarks gave no clear answer in that trajectory. Therefore, Yameen requested the judge to clarify the reason behind why hearings cannot be livestreamed – and when it would be possible to livestream the hearings.

Judge Shakeel’s response had been the same as before.

Submission of evidence by defence

On the agenda of today’s hearing – was the submission of evidence by the defence. A total of 18 exhibits were submitted on behalf of Yameen; including seven documentary evidence and 11 oral evidence. The details of the exhibits submitted were not disclosed.

A total of 13 exhibits were submitted on behalf of Naeem; including 10 documentary evidence and three oral evidence.

Yameen’s side had requested an additional hearing to present the exhibits submitted – a request which the prosecution had objected to citing the law does not recognize an in-depth delve of evidence at this stage of the trial.

Nevertheless, Judge Shakeel decided to hold one more hearing before deciding whether the case can proceed as a civil matter or not. This hearing is scheduled for 10:30 am on April 11.