Terror trial against Nadheem: Thursday's hearing cancelled without a reason

Thursday’s hearing in the terror charges raised against former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s son-in-law, Mohamed Nadheem, has been cancelled.

While the pre-trial hearing was set for 3pm, Criminal Court did not disclose a reason for the cancellation.

The last hearing in the case was held on 7th May, which concluded early after the defense pointed out that the court was yet to inform him why the presiding judge in his case was changed.

While it was Judge Hussain Shahid that read out the charges against him and gave the order to keep him remanded for the rest of his terrorism trial, Judge Ahmed Hailam was presiding over the case when the pretrial hearings commenced.

At the hearing held on Monday, Nadheem’s lawyer Moosa Siraj noted that the Criminal Procedure Act states that both the prosecution and defence must be informed of any changes to those presiding over the case.

Following the prosecution’s procedural objection, Judge Hailam concluded the hearing noting that it cannot go forward while the reason for the judge change has not been disclosed.

Terror charges were raised against Nadheem over allegations of attempting to overthrow the government on the orders of his brother-in-law MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon, through the help of other lawmakers and former police commissioner Ahmed Areef by using police officers to create public unrest.

He has been in police custody since his arrest with father-in-law Maumoon on 5th February, shortly after a state of emergency was declared. His wife, Yumna has since been summoned to the police for questioning, over the same allegations.