Criminal Court schedules hearing for terror case against Ameen Faisal

The Criminal Court has scheduled Ameen Faisal’s hearing where he is to present his defence, for Thursday.

The hearing, held over the states terror allegations against the former Defence Minister, was originally scheduled for Tuesday. The hearing is now to be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday.

The judges had decided at an earlier hearing, held on the 8th of August, that the proceedings will continue behind closed doors. The prosecution had presented their witnesses against Faisal at this hearing.

Prosecutors charged Faisal under Article 2, clause b, of the Prevention of Terrorism Act – for kidnapping and taking a hostage. The case was filed in October, 2016, and all of Faisal’s travel documents have been ceased.

President Yameen, who was then the parliamentary representative to Mulaku constituency, was detained in July 14, taken to Aarah island in Kaafu atoll, and released on the 23rd, nine days later.

Yameen was detained after his release from Police custody, under a Supreme Court order, amidst speculation that bribes were being funneled to MPs in a bid to remove then President Mohamed Nasheed from office.

However, Nasheed’s government maintained that Yameen was detained for his own safety following a National Security Committee decision. As Minister of Defence, Ameen Faisal would have also been on this committee.

Prosecutors are also pushing to raise terror charges against Nasheed for his alleged involvement in the detention.