May 6 attack: Nasheed's lawyers urges to set a trial date and schedule
It has been one year since there was an attempt to assassinate the ex-president
Lawyers of former president Mohamed Nasheed have urged to set a trial date and schedule for the May 6 terrorist attack
Lawyers of former president Mohamed Nasheed have urged to set dates and a schedule for the May 6 terrorist attack trials .
Nasheed's team of lawyers on Friday released a statement, raising concerns that Prosecution is failing to charge suspects who maybe in lead criminal roles in the terrorism activity that culminated in the triggering of the IED.
Highlighting that it has been one year since the assassination attempt against the ex-president, the lawyers stated that the prosecution of the terrorists alleged to have committed the offense continues to be slow and disjointed.
Nasheed's lawyers expressed concerns over the court not fixing a date for the trial, even though it was understood that in November 2021, the Prosecution had sought a date to be fixed for the trial.
The statement from former President Nasheed read that a trial date - even if it may later require an application to vacate it due to additional arrests, charges and or evidence, would serve the valuable purpose of keeping the defense and Prosecution focused. They stated that it would prevent drift as well as ensure that witnesses are in the best position to give evidence.
They also highlighted that the defense is entitled to a trial within a reasonable time as per Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which has been ratified by the Maldives.
The statement also stated that Nasheed urges that the seriousness of the attack upon him is again recognized by the Court and the Prosecution. It stated that the ex-president urges that a trial date is set and that further charges are brought against those where the Prosecution has evidence of their involvement.
