One of the defendants in the case involving an alleged plot to blow up the Jumhooree Party (JP) main headquarters, Kunoozu, has requested the Supreme Court to nullify the trial.
Although nine years have passed since the charges were filed, the trial in the Criminal Court has yet to reach a conclusion. Iuthisam Mohamed Saeed, from Gamaree in GDh. Madaveli, submitted the case to the Supreme Court seeking to nullify the charges, stating that the prolonged delay is depriving him of numerous rights.
While the Criminal Court scheduled over 60 hearings for the case, most had to be cancelled because defense lawyers failed to attend. Only one hearing was cancelled at the request of the state.
Iuthisam initially submitted the request to nullify the trial as a pre-trial motion to the Criminal Court.
However, that court decided not to nullify the charges. He subsequently appealed that decision in the High Court, which also ruled against him. The current submission to the Supreme Court is an appeal of the High Court's decision.
Although Iuthisam was in custody when the trial began, he was released with conditions in 2018. However, following the attack on former President Mohamed Nasheed, he was arrested again during a police operation. In that matter, he was charged with attempting to commit an act of terrorism.
During today's hearing at the Supreme Court, Iuthisam's lawyer, Ahmed Abdulla Afeef, stated that the trial had been delayed because the state made efforts to amend the charge sheet and add a secret witness who was not previously involved. The lawyer argued that such a significant delay violates Iuthisam's constitutional right to a fair trial within a reasonable period.
Therefore, the lawyer requested the Supreme Court to nullify the charges against Iuthisam.
The state requested that the High Court's decision be upheld. This is a type of case that the Supreme Court is required to decide promptly.
Other individuals charged in the alleged plot to blow up Kunoozu include Mohamed Tasleem from Alanaasige and Nasiu Mohamed from Vidhuvaruge in HA. Hoarafushi, as well as Shiman Shareef from Riveli in HDh. Naavaidhoo.
