Verdict hearing in Adeeb’s weapons possession appeal case cancelled

Supreme Court has cancelled the verdict hearing scheduled on Sunday in the appeal case regarding former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s weapon possession case.

While the verdict hearing was set to begin on Sunday afternoon, RaajjeMV understands that the cancellation was last-minute. Supreme Court did not reveal a reason why the hearing was cancelled.

Adeeb was sentenced to 10 years over allegations of weapons possession in 2016.

The last hearing in the appeal case was held on 28 April where the state attorney said that there was not enough evidence that finds Adeeb guilty.

At the last appeal hearing, Chief Justice Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi had revealed that the next hearing will be to issue a verdict.

Judges Adam Mohamed Abdulla and Abdul Ghani will be sitting with the Chief Justice, throughout the verdict hearing.

If the verdict is issued in Adeeb’s favor, he would still have to complete his prison sentence of eight years, which was issued over his involvement in the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) graft case.

Adeeb’s attorney said that only witness testimonies were used against him and that the trial proceedings revealed that three of the witnesses could not distinguish between types of firearms, adding that their description of the handgun did not fit the specifications of what legally constitutes a firearm, which is that it should be able to discharge bullets to at least 60 feet. The state attorney said that the charge cited The Prevention of Terrorism Act’s Article 2(d) which states that the unauthorized import of any explosive substance, ammunition or firearms into the country, the use, storage, or sale of such substance or equipment in the Maldives are considered acts of terrorism.

The High Court had earlier nullified the Criminal Court’s verdict finding Adeeb guilty of possessing said pistol.

Adeeb has been found guilty of multiple charges and is serving prison sentences totaling 33 years. If the Supreme Court found him not-guilty of weapons possession, his sentence would reduce to 23 years.