Attorneys unable to meet Adeeb even after court order
Attorney Siraj said that the Correctional Service had objected to the order and that he does not know when a meeting with Adeeb would take place
Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb
Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s attorney Moosa Siraj has said that the Correctional Service has failed to abide by the Criminal Court’s order to facilitate meetings between them.
In a tweet on Sunday, Attorney Siraj said that the Correctional Service had objected to the order and that he does not know when a meeting with Adeeb would take place.
At the Criminal Court hearing on Wednesday, the court gave Adeeb additional time to respond to state charges of using his position to gain undue profit in the lease of islands in relation to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption scandal.
At the hearing, Siraj said they have not prepared for the case since Adeeb’s attorneys have been unable to meet him for a month. He also said that Adeeb has been moved from Maafushi to Dhoonidhoo Prison and that the Correctional Service has been making excuses for not facilitating a meeting.
The Correctional Service requested documents confirming that the case is registered at the court and that they have been appointed as Adeeb’s lawyers, Siraj said, adding that although the Criminal Court does not give out those documents, they ask the court to release those documents on the request of the Correctional Service.
The state prosecutor said that Adeeb should be given the opportunity to defend himself. The Criminal Court also agreed that he should have enough time to respond to the charges and so gave him 10 more days to prepare.
Presiding Judge Adam Arif said he will request the Correctional Service to facilitate at least two meetings between Adeeb and his lawyers before the next hearing.
