Maumoon’s hearing held behind closed doors

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s court hearing on Monday was held behind closed doors upon the request of Maumoon’s legal team.

Near the end of the hearing on terrorism charges, the defense read out the doctor’s recommendations regarding his health condition.

According to his family and legal team, Maumoon is suffering from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) which causes brief periods of vertigo. Doctors have recommended that someone be with him at all times since he is at the risk of falling down and hurting himself.

His legal team said that while police officers have been taking good care of him, monitoring him for 24 hours a day is difficult for them.

However, the state prosecutors have repeatedly said that Maumoon would tamper with evidence if he is released.

Maumoon’s legal team said that they wished to disclose private information concerning Maumoon and so requested that the hearing be held behind closed doors, to which the judge agreed.

Maumoon is being charged with terrorism over his alleged involvement in the Supreme Court’s controversial order on February 1 to release nine political prisoners and reinstate 12 opposition MPs to parliament. He was arrested on February 5 and has since been remanded for the remainder of his trial.