MP calls to expose officials that attempted to exert influence on Judge Hailam

MP for North-Henveiru constituency, Hassan Latheef, has called for Criminal Court Chief Judge, Ahmed Hailam to expose the names of government officials that attempted to exert influence on his verdict in the money laundering trial against former president Yameen.

The judge was suspended for the disrespectful Victory Day message he had shared with a Viber group for criminal court employees, which was leaked on social media.

Hailam released a statement on Thursday, following his 60-day suspension, claiming that he faced pressure from senior government officials, to issue a guilty verdict in former President Abdulla Yameen’s money laundering trial.

According to Hailam, senior government officials have “directly and indirectly” contacted him in an attempt to exert their influence in the case.

He claimed that the officials had contacted him through messages, phone calls or via a third party requesting for assurance of a guilty verdict for the former president since charges were raised against Yameen this February but did not disclose their identities.

He added that most of these attempts took place on 3rd and 4th November.

The judge further alleged to being blackmailed with bank transaction between him and former lawmaker Alhan Fahmy on 19th May 2019.

Noting that he was told that the case was at the police, Hailam said that they had threatened him that the case “can be looked into” as well as with “suspension”.

Further, he said that a senior police officer had questioned him regarding the transaction and that he had told him how the transaction took place. Hailam said that police had decided not to proceed further, as no criminal acts had taken place.

The judge also noted that there is no connection between his work at court and Alhan, adding that he has been a friend “since way before becoming a lawmaker.”

Hailam further claimed that the interim chief judge Ali Rasheed “will also be aware of this now” and that he has no choice “if he does not want to be suspended” as well.

He also criticized JSC in the statement, over its decision to “chase after him” for not guaranteeing to put a certain individual in jail.

In response to Hailam's statement, Hassan Latheef, released a statement via Twitter calling for Hailam to declare the names of the specific government officials that attempted to exert influence on him instead of creating doubt over every member of the current administration. He also added that a complaint must be lodged against them.

Hailam also stated the bribery accusations made against him by some parliament members are also attempts at exerting influence.

Judge Hailam was suspended on Tuesday, hours ahead of Yameen’s verdict hearing in the money laundering trial. Following his suspension, the hearing was canceled.