Chief Justice Saeed’s terror trial to begin
The Chief Justice is being charged with terrorism for threatening national security by issuing a Supreme Court order to overthrow the government
Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed
Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed’s trial on terrorism charges is set to begin after the end of the preliminary hearings on Sunday.
The Chief Justice is being charged with terrorism for threatening national security by issuing a Supreme Court order to overthrow the government.
At the final preliminary hearing on Sunday, the judge deliberated on the requests made by the state prosecutors. However, the defense did not make any requests. The reason given by the defense is that they have the same requests made by Justice Ali Hameed at his preliminary hearing and therefore Chief Justice Saeed's defense did not make the requests since it was likely that the court would deliberate on Saeed’s requests the same way it did to Justice Hameed.
Justice Hameed has also been charged with terrorism for issuing the Supreme Court order on February 1 to release political prisoners and reinstate opposition MPs. The court has yet to deliberate on the requests made by Justice Hameed.
The state made three requests during the Chief Justice’s preliminary hearing. They requested that the witness testimonies be taken anonymously via video conference, to make secret witness information, and approval from the court to present any new evidence found after the trial begins.
The judge approved the requests even with the objections from the defense. However, the defense was allowed to read one of the secret documents presented by the state.
Chief Justice Saeed’s lawyer Noorul Salam Aboobakur said that since he has already been convicted on two of the numerous charges against him, it would mean that the terrorism charges should be nullified. The lawyer cited the Constitution saying that when different charges are being made on one crime, the suspect should be convicted of the most serious charge first since only then can the court determine any leeway to be given during the sentencing. In response, the judge said that these are issues to be deliberated on during the sentencing.
Saeed is already serving a prison sentence totaling two years after being found guilty of influencing official conduct and obstruction of state duties. He is also being charged with accepting bribes and obstruction of justice.
