Friday
26th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
President Yameen. Photo: TMJ
The Criminal Court has agreed to accept new evidence presented by the prosecution to counter the testimonies of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayyoom’s defense witnesses in the case of V. Aarah.
In the V. Aarah lease case, President Yameen was charged with money laundering, accepting a bribe of USD 1 million to facilitate the sale of Aarah to former MP Yoosuf Naeem. These two cases are being tried together in court.
The prosecution had submitted new evidence to prove that the testimony provided by the defense witnesses had been false.
In yesterday's hearing presiding judge, Ahmed Shakeel ruled that the new evidence submitted by the prosecution can be accepted at court under Article 135 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which states that the court and defense must be notified when new evidence is acquired while the case is open.
Yoosuf Naeem’s defense requested for the opportunity to discuss the new evidence submitted to court, however, judge Shakeel rejected the request.
The defense witnesses from Yameen’s side included former Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed, former Youth Minister Ahmed Zuroor and Deputy Mayor of Male’ City Ahmed Nareesh.