Terror trial against former VP: Thursday's hearing cancelled, no reason given
While the hearing was scheduled for 10am, it was cancelled after Adeeb was presented to court
File photo: Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb being brought to the capital city for a court hearing
Criminal Court has cancelled Thursday's hearing in the terrorism case against former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.
While the hearing was scheduled for 10am, it was cancelled after Adeeb was presented to court. A reason was not provided for the cancellation.
The former vice president is being charged with terrorism over a weapons cache that was discovered submerged on a reef in Hibalhidhoo, an uninhabited island in central Baa Atoll; along with former Head of MNDF Weapons Ordinance Unit Ahmed Fayaz Ali Riza (Papa), Mohamed Hussain (Oittey), Mohamed Allaam Latheef, and Ahmed Ishfah Ali.
While Hussain, Latheef and Ali had fled the country prior to the charges against them, police in November 2015 launched a manhunt for the trio, as well as other known associates of the former VP. Interpol red notices have also been issued as well. They are being tried in absentia
Prosecutors have submitted the names of 22 witnesses against Adeeb and associates, with 20 pieces of documentary evidence.
While Adeeb was convicted in June 2016 for masterminding a bomb attack on President Abdulla Yameen, the weapons discovered in the investigation into the blast which showed that weapons were missing from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) armory.
Adeeb is currently serving a total of 33 years over graft and terrorism charges.
