Male, May 6 ( AVAS): Jailed Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed on Sunday broke down in court as he explained the reasons behind the landmark ruling on February 1. But when judge Hameed had denied the charges, the prosecution presented 32 witnesses against the defendant.
After prosecutors read out the terrorism charges, Judge Hameed requested permission to speak but he was unable to stand due to ill-health.
When the presiding judge gave permission to judge Hameed to speak while seated, he choked back tears as he explained the reasons behind the February 1 order.
Judge Hameed explained that the Supreme Court had been subject to intense criticism while many had questioned the trials of the jailed political leaders.
The re-trials were ordered because the Supreme Court bench had wished to ensure justice had been served, judge Hameed said. He also insisted that he had always been a loyal servant to the state and had not allowed his integrity to be compromised in any way.
The defence then had asked the prosecution as to why the remaining judges of the top court bench had not been investigated or charged when the February 1 order was unanimously signed by the full bench.
In response, the prosecution argued that no evidence of foul play or criminal intent had been found on the part of the other three judges.
When judge Hameed had denied the charges, the prosecution presented 32 witnesses against the defendant.
The Maldivian police said that they had recovered US$ 215,000 and MVR 150,000 from a bag belonging to the arrested Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed.
Police said that former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had in various ways aided the family of Justice Ali Hameed.
The police further said that they have obtained documentary evidence of a purchase of a flat with money obtained from bribes. They confirmed that a prominent Maldivian business man had loaned USD 2.4 million to the family of Judge Ali Hameed.
“Additionally, critical evidence and information crucial to the investigation has been recovered from a black suitcase which was removed from Endherimaage, Maafannu (the residence of Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom),” the release said.
“We have in our possession now documentary evidence from the recently found suitcase that Ahmed Faris Maumoon attempted to influence the Judiciary. The suitcase was retrieved from the home of an employee of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. This employee is currently in Police custody,” the release added.
“There is further documentary evidence that confirm suspects in this case have purchased expensive overseas properties that do not correspond to their legal incomes,” it further said.
Maldivian police charge that several individuals had been attempting to overthrow a legitimate government. Those arrested in this connection so far are: Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom; Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed; Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed Mohamed; Judicial Administrator at the Department of Judicial Administration Hassan Saeed Hussain; Ibrahim Siyad Qasim; Fathimath Nasira; Member of Parliament Ahmed Faris Maumoon; and Member of Parliament Abdulla Sinan.
(The featured image at the top shows jailed Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed)