Chief Judge: Did not permit rebroadcasting of Yameen’s trial, instructing those doing so to stop

Criminal Court, on Thursday, has stated that no party has been permitted to rebroadcast the hearings held in the trial of the money laundering case against opposition leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development – instructing those doing so to stop.

Criminal Court’s Chief Judge Ahmed Shakeel who is presiding over the case decided to livestream the hearings in the case at Yameen’s request. In this regard, a preliminary hearing held previously, and another hearing held on Thursday were livestreamed on Criminal Court’s Youtube channel.

Some television channels had rebroadcasted Thursday’s hearing, live.

Two witness produced by the prosecution gave their testimonies on Thursday’s hearing.

As cross-examination of the first witness proceeded – Judge Shakeel announced the Court having taken note of rebroadcasting of the hearing by some parties.

“We note that this is a hearing being livestreamed on this Court’s Youtube channel – which no other party has been permitted to rebroadcast. Nevertheless, it has been brought to our attention that some parties are doing so. Therewith, we request them not to,” he had said.

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.