Chief judge recuses from ex-president's second graft trial
Judge Shakeel recused from the case more than a year after the case was filed, without any hearings.
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By
Aman Haleem
Criminal Court Chief Judge Ahmed Shakeel has recused himself from the trial of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom for allegedly accepting a bribe of $1 million to lease R. Fuggiri in the MMPRC corruption scandal.
The Criminal Court did not explain the reason for judge Shakeel’s recusal from the case. They only said that Judge Ali Nadheem will conduct the trial after Judge Shakeel Isnazul.
In the Fuggiri case, Yameen is being charged for misusing his official position in the lease agreement; acquiring USD 1.12 million bribe through Krik Riza, MA Kurikeelahiyaa, Male, and laundering it via Sun Construction and Sun Investments.
The charges in the case are as follows:
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Abdulla Yameen - Money laundering and accepting bribes
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Ahmed Krik Riza - Being a middleman in money laundering and bribery
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Sun Investment and Sun Construction - Money laundering
Shakeel recused from the case more than a year after the case was filed, without any hearings. The case is currently in the process of deciding the pre-trial submissions.
The state also tried to seize Yameen's passport in the Fuggiri case. However, the criminal court refused to grant the order on the ground that it the passports were expired.
Yameen's lawyers have accused the government of interfering in the V. Aarah island case, which has reached a verdict. The state has denied the allegations and said there will be no interference in the judicial system.
If there is nothing more to clarify, the verdict in the case will be pronounced later this month.
