IED Case Against Iuthisam: Concerns Over Delays as Case Drags on for Seven Years
The court has concluded hearings on the matter as both parties have been granted sufficient opportunity to present their arguments. Unless further clarification is required during the deliberation process, the next scheduled proceeding will be the delivery of the final verdict.
Charges filed against Iuthisam in the IED case | High Court | High Court
The High Court on Sunday conducted a hearing regarding an evidence protection order issued by the Criminal Court in a case involving the preparation of materials for forged identification cards in April 2017.
This case is currently under review following an appeal filed by the defendant, Iuthisam Mohamed Saeed.
During the hearing, Ithisam’s legal counsel presented a rebuttal to the arguments submitted by the state regarding the points of appeal.
The defense counsel stated that Iuthisam’s rights had been violated due to the state’s conduct in this case, further noting that the prosecution had handled matters regarding anonymous witnesses in a confusing and inconsistent manner. Consequently, the lawyer requested the High Court to provide a legal remedy for these issues.
Speaking at the hearing, Iuthisam’s lawyer, Ahmed Yameen, stated that the state has created significant procedural complications throughout the case from 2017 to the present.
The ongoing case in the High Court is an appeal filed over dissatisfaction with a renewed order issued to protect anonymous witnesses involved in the matter. The Criminal Court issued the protective order for the anonymous witnesses in April last year, following the commencement of preliminary hearings for the third time. This development comes eight years after the case was initially filed with the Criminal Court.
During Sunday's hearing, the state prosecutor clarified that the government has no intention of delaying the proceedings of this case.
The state prosecutor stated that charges have been filed against a total of four individuals in this case, with the Criminal Court conducting separate trials for each defendant. All four individuals have been charged with attempting to carry out an act of terrorism.
However, among them, Iuthisam is currently the only individual remaining in custody pending the conclusion of the trial for this case.
During the hearing, the judges also directed several questions to the parties.
Responding to those questions, the state prosecutor clarified that although amendments were made to the charge form, the state has not altered the actual charges filed in this case. The prosecutor further noted that the state's modifications were limited solely to the section outlining the grounds for the charges.
The state prosecutor further noted that several preliminary hearings had been conducted between the time the charges were initially filed in 2018 and 2022.
The court has concluded the hearings for this case, as both parties have been granted sufficient opportunity to present their arguments. Unless further clarification is required during the deliberation process, the next stage of the proceedings will be the delivery of the final verdict.
