RaajjeTV arson case: hearing in charges against Meeaadh, cancelled

A hearing in the terrorism charges raised against Mohamed Meeaadh who also faced charges with arson in relation to 2013 RaajjeTV arson attack, has been cancelled.

The hearing was initially set for 10am, Wednesday.

Media official at the Criminal Court told RaajjeMV that the cancellation was due to the presiding judge and defense lawyers being present at another hearing at the time.

Presiding Judge Ali Adam was present at the hearing regarding the trial of suspects arrested from Thimarafushi island In Thaa atoll, for supporting extremist ideologies.

The Criminal Court is conducting a remand review of Meeaadh, and during the last hearing held in August, a summary statement was presented after testimonies were collected.

The state prosecutor revealed that the suspect is accused of committing arson at RaajjeTV studio in BKT building, with the help of five others. However, Meeaadh is to have denied all accusations against him.

The Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office had submitted both witness statements and documents as evidence in connection to the case.

Testimonies from anonymous witnesses prove the fact that Meeaadh was among the five that burned down the station and stated that he was seen putting on a mask and entering BKT building.

A 690 gram, 15.5-inch long and two-inch wide nail claw was bent on one side and used as a weapon to enter the building by breaking the metal lock and destroying the gate. After setting the building on fire, the five suspects had fled the scene immediately, leaving behind their weapon. CCTV footage shows one of the suspect's arms catching fire.

Further, although witnesses presented by the defense stated that Meeaadh was out of the city on a trip when the incident had occurred, the state prosecutor argued that the statements provided by these witnesses were very contradicting as they could not even remember the name of the island Meeaadh was visiting. The state attorney then affirmed that the defense was unable to provide evidence that would cause the state’s evidence to be considered as void. The state requested that the court rule in their favor, as all evidence proves Meeaadh is guilty of the crime.

The presiding judge affirmed that the evidence presented by both sides will be reviewed before coming to a verdict, which will be announced at the next hearing.

A group of masked men broke down the iron gates and door of RaajjeTV’s studio building in the early hours of 8 October 2013 and torched the studio, located in the Queen of the Night building. The station incurred tremendous losses, totaling MVR 11.65 million.