Nasheed blast trial can't be expedited, judge says
Four witnesses were scheduled to testify at Sunday's hearing but only two witnesses testified.
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By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
Judge Sofwath Habeeb said on Sunday that the trial in the bomb attack on former president Mohamed Nasheed, which was attempted to conclude this year, could not be expedited with special priority.
Sofwath said that due to the space constraints faced by the Criminal Court, cases have piled up. Therefore, the trial will not be expedited, giving special priority to the case.
Sofwath added:
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Hearings in the case are scheduled for next month
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Hearings will be held on the 22nd, 25th, and 27th of next month
Four witnesses were scheduled to testify at Sunday's hearing but only two witnesses testified. The other two witnesses did not appear in court.
When the trial hearings in the case began last April, Judge Sofwath had said during the hearing that the schedule of upcoming hearings had been communicated to both parties and if they proceed accordingly, he expected verdict in the case by August 31 this year.
However, the trial in the case has not been completed yet, and special representative appointed on behalf of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Abbas Faiz, has recently expressed concern over the delay in the proceedings.
Adhuham Ahmed Rasheed, who was arrested and charged with the alleged assassination attempt of Nasheed on the night of 6 May 2021, pleaded guilty and entered into a plea agreement with the state and was given a light sentence of 23 years in prison. The cases of the others involved in the case are pending in court.
The court is currently hearing:
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Thahumeen Ahmed, Folheymaa/G.A. Kondey: Charged with participating in an act of terrorism, aiding in the transportation of explosives and supporting a terrorist group
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Mujaz Ahmed, M.a. Feyruge/K. Male: Charged with conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism and aiding and abetting the escape of a criminal
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Ali Haisham, Nooreege/N. Manadhoo: Charged with conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism, aiding in the transportation of explosives and participating in an act of terrorism
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Ishaq, M.a. Kudhehige/K.Male: Charged with transportation of explosives, conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism and participation in the commission of an act of terrorism
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Fahumy Ali, Hudhuruvaage/G.A. Villingili: Charged with participation in an act of terrorism
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Mohammed Nazim, Asareege/A.A. Maalhos: Charged with conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism
