Siyam, Mauroof dropped as witnesses in Yameen's second graft trial

Prosecution has decided not to record the testimony of Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam and former Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ali Mauroof in the trial of money laundering and bribery charges against former President Abdulla Yameen over the leasing of R. Fuggiri as part of the MMPRC corruption scandal.

While the prosecution had sought the deposition of six witnesses earlier, the prosecution had sought on Tuesday that all but two witnesses should not be examined. Their testimony will be heard on Wednesday.

Charges against Ahmed Krik Riza, who was alleged to be the intermediary in bribing Yameen, were dropped last week. The court is currently hearing:

Providing testimony in Tuesday's hearing, Ahmed Amir, a former bodyguard of former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, said he saw Siyam's brother and Mauroof from a meeting at MMPRC office to discuss the Fuggiri lease.

Amir had not mentioned seeing Siyam's brother, in his statement to the police investigation. When the prosecution asked him to describe the physical appearance of Siyam’s brother, the witness could not answer the questions.

After taking his testimony, trial judge Ali Nadeem said the testimony of six witnesses submitted by the prosecution could not be taken.

The prosecution has asked Sun company owner and MDA President Siyam and MDA Vice President Mauroof as witnesses, the judge said. The judge decided not to hear the testimony of the two witnesses.

Yameen's PPM-PNC has criticised the Criminal Court for holding back-to-back hearings, while the appeal hearings over Yameen's 11-year jail sentence have been stalled in the High Court.