Interim Chief Judge Ali Rasheed has denied allegations, made by suspended chief judge Ahmed Hailam, of government officials attempting to exert influence on the verdict in the money laundering trial against former president Yameen.
Hailam has previously stated that senior government officials have “directly and indirectly” contacted him in an attempt to exert their influence in the case and further claimed that the interim chief judge “will also be aware of this now”
Nevertheless, when questioned by RaajjeMV reporters on the matter, Judge Rasheed denied having any knowledge of these actions and accused Judge Hailam of being dishonest.
That story is completely false. I have not been pressured by anyone even prior to my appointment to the interim chief judge. I have no idea why he made that statement.Interim Chief Judge Ali Rasheed
He further stated that no government official has exerted influence on him in any capacity during his thirteen-year career.
Several members of parliament have called to declare the names of these alleged officials following Hailam's statement.
Hailam was suspended for a period of 60 days on 5 November, following JSC’s investigations into a Victory Day message the judge had shared with a Viber group, which was leaked on social media.
