130kg drug bust: Hearings of Shaheeb Ibrahim commenced
Verdict hearing of the case is projected to be held at 01:00 pm on 25 May, 2023
Shaheeb Ibrahim, native to Villingili island of Gaafu Alif atoll suspected of drug smuggling
The Criminal Court has commenced the hearings of Shaheeb Ibrahim, in relation to the 130 kilos of drugs that were suspected of being smuggled into the Maldives by locals with the help of foreign parties.
Shaheeb Ibrahim, native to Villingili island of Gaafu Alif atoll is suspected to be the master mind behind the drug trade.
The hearing was held at the Criminal Court on Sunday morning.
Presiding over the case is Judge Ahmed Shakeel.
The defense lawyers has previously submitted the prehearing statements. Sunday's hearing was held to make a decision upon the prehearing statements.
The state prosecutors submitted only one statement regarding the charges raised against Shaheeb. Which is to not accept the defense witnesses submitted by him.
Noting that Shaheeb submitted evidence that state that he was not at the scene of the crime, state prosecutors states that if the accused takes this stand, this information needs to be submitted during the investigation stage as per the article 122 of penal code.
They noted that if the defendant had made this stand during the investigation stage, the state would have had the chance to varify if he was telling the truth or not. The state prosecutors said that Shaheeb however did not say any such thing during the investigation stage.
Judge Shakeel decided to approve the statement submitted by the state.
The defense also submitted statements appealing the court to not accept some of the evidence put forward by the state, saying that these evidences does not have a clear relation to Shaheeb.
However, in reference to a decision made by the High Court, Judge Shakeel decided to not accept these statements of the defense.
The defense lawyers, also submitted statements to not accept the statements of the others accused in the same case. However, stating that the state has submitted evidence that gives more strength to these, Judge Shakeel decided to not accept this as well.
The third statement of the defense was that the state have not submitted enough evidence against Shaheeb, and that the hearings of the case needs to be cancelled. This statement was also not accepted by the Judge.
The next hearing of the case has now been scheduled to 25 January 2023.
Judge Shakeel stated that hearings to take testimonials will be held during February. He also stated that the estimated date for the summary statement hearing is 27 April.
Judge Shakeel noted that the verdict hearing of the case is projected to be held at 01:00 pm on 25 May, 2023.
