May 6 trial: High Courts orders to accept Thahmeen’s witnesses

The High Court has ordered to accept the witnesses submitted by Ahmed Thahmeen,  who is on trial for terror charges in connection to the 2021 IED attack on Parliament speaker, former president Mohamed Nasheed.

The Criminal Court had previously decided against granting Thahmeen the opportunity  to submit witnesses after he failed to submit any during the allotted time. However after he requested for a second chance, the opportunity was granted by Judge Soffath Habeeb.

Following this, two witnesses were presented from Thahmeen, in order to prove an alibi for himself at the time when the attack took place. The prosecution asked the court to reject both testimonies, arguing that they cannot be presented to prove something that was not investigated or even brought up by the defence during the investigation.

After deliberating on the arguments from both sides, the Judge decided against accepting the witnesses, but noted that one of the witnesses was also presented to prove another argument by the defence, and that he will allow it.

This was appealed on behalf of Thahmeen at the High Court.

The higher court reverted the lower court’s decision stating that there was no basis to reject the witnesses and asked the Criminal Court to provide Thamheen with the chance too present witnesses from his side.

The terror attack targeting Nasheed with a homemade remote-controlled IED took place on May 6, 2021. Nasheed sustained multiple shrapnel wounds, while three members of his security detail and two bystanders sustained minor wounds.

Thahmeen is pressed with four charges; participating in carrying out an act of terrorism, conspiracy to carry out an act of terrorism, aiding in transporting an explosive, and supporting a terrorist organization.

The others on trial in the case are:

• Mujaz Ahmed, Ma. Feyruge, K. Male’
• Ali Haisham, Nooreege, N. Manadhoo
• Mohamed Nazim, Asareege, AA. Maalhos
• Fahumy Ali, Hudhuruvaage, GA. Vilingili
• Is’haq, M. Kudhehige, K. Male’

The May 6 trial has produced only one conviction so far, that against Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed, Hiyaa, V. Thinadhoo, who confessed to detonating the IED. He signed a plea deal with the prosecution and received a reduced sentence of 23 years in prison in 2021.