Supreme Court rules Kunooz terrorism case can't be quashed
The Supreme Court ruled that the delay in the case was not due solely to the actions of the state, in line with the High Court decision.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the case of plotting to blow up a bomb at the Jumhooree Party (JP) headquarters in M. Kunooz cannot be quashed.
In 2017, four men were charged with attempting to commit an act of terrorism by preparing an improvised explosive device inside the office of Attic International Pvt Ltd in Ma. Enboodhooge. The four are:
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Iuthisam Mohamed Saeed, Gamaree/Gdh. Madhaveli
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Naasiu Mohamed, Vidhuvaruge/Ha. Horafushi
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Shiman Shareef, Riveli/Hdh. Naavaidhoo
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Mohamed Thasleem, Alanaasige/Ha. Horafushi
All except Naasiu have pleaded not guilty.
During preliminary hearings, Iuthisam filed a motion to dismiss the charges, citing a violation of his right to a trial. He submitted the motion in December last year. The Criminal Court and the High Court ruled that there was no basis to dismiss the charges.
The Supreme Court ruled that the delay in the case was not due solely to the actions of the state, in line with the High Court decision.
Presiding Justice Aisha Shujoon, who heard the case in the Supreme Court, stated that the case had not been resolved due to changes of judges and decisions to restart proceedings. Hearings were also cancelled for administrative reasons, and some were cancelled due to the absence of Iuthisam’s lawyers.
The court held that there is no legal basis to dismiss the case. It added that if a right has been violated, it may be pursued through a separate action.
The opinion was supported by two other judges.
Iuthisam was first arrested on 25 April 2017. He was released on conditions on 8 October 2018.
He was arrested again in May 2021 on another terrorism charge. He was released in October that year and re-arrested on the same day in connection with the Kunooz case.
He has spent nearly six years in custody in relation to this case. The court noted that the matter before it was not to decide on his remand.
The prosecution states that there was an attempt to carry out an explosion at Kunooz in April 2017, during a period of opposition rallies and activities.
At the time, the opposition coalition included the Jumhoori Party, MDP, Adhaalath Party and the political movement of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Senior political figures attended the gatherings.
