Request to hasten Nazim

Lawyers of the former Defense Minister Colonel-retired Mohamed Nazim, who is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence, have made a request at the Supreme Court to order hastening his appeal process.

After two hearings, the appeal was halted with the establishment of High Court branches in the north and southern atolls which led to the disbanding of the Judges Bench in the case.

Nazim’s lawyer, Husnu Suood said that they have made several requests at the High Court to hasten the appeal process. But there has been no acceptable response from the Court.

“High Court says that they are working to hasten it, we can’t get an acceptable response, We now think that since it’s a political case, the judges are reluctant to take charge.” Husnu Suood said.

In the request made with the complaint form, Nazim’s lawyers pointed out several things when they submitted it. Husnu Suood said that leaving a trial incomplete after it began violates Articles 51 and 53 of the Constitution.

Points noted by Nazim’s lawyers:

- Violation of Articles 51 and 53 of the Constitution by delaying the case.

- The Supreme Court stating that there won’t be any delays when serving justice and delaying makes it unjust.

- Supreme Court ordering the lower courts to complete cases within a month.

The Supreme Court accepted the request today made from Nazim’s lawyers to hasten his appeal.

Colonel-retired Nazim was sentenced to 11 years in prison on 27 March 2015 after he was found guilty of possession of a firearm.