Nareesh, Shuaullah decline to testify in Yameen’s MMPRC trial

Youth Minister’s Advisor Ahmed Nareesh and Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM) Managing Director Shuaullah Saeed have requested the Criminal Court not to testify in defence of former President Abdulla Yameen in the MMPRC corruption case related to the lease of R. Fuggiri island for resort development.

Nareesh and Shuaullah, who were close associates of Yameen during his presidency, had been listed as defence witnesses in the trial.

However, both have sent letters to the court stating that they do not wish to provide testimony.

Presiding Judge Ali Nadeem stated that their testimonies would still be taken if Yameen wished. The judge asked Yameen whether he would seek an order for their arrest to compel their appearance in court.

Yameen’s lead defence counsel, Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, who served as the first Vice President during Yameen’s administration, informed the court that the defence would proceed without forcing testimony from Nareesh and Shuaullah.

“My client does not wish for them to be compelled to testify,” Jameel said.

Two witnesses remain in Yameen’s defence. They are Abdulla Rashid and Ahmed Riza, who was previously charged in connection with the case.

The court concluded today’s hearing after recording testimony and setting dates for the next stages of the trial:

The charges against Ahmed Riza have been withdrawn. Trials involving the two Sun companies linked to the case will proceed separately.

The Criminal Court is currently hearing multiple cases connected to the MMPRC scandal:

Nareesh and Shuaullah’s refusal to testify comes at a time when Yameen, who has split from the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC) coalition, has formed a new party, the People’s National Front (PNF).

Yameen has remained a prominent critic of the current government.