Witness: Fayaz said police could board "Finifenma" only after EOD team

A police officer has testified against Ahmed Fayaz Ali Riza (Papa) – who had been in charge of President Abdulla Yameen’s security detail before he was embroiled in the explosion onboard presidential speedboat – Finifenma, saying that Fayaz had told police officers they could board the boat only after Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Explosive Ordinance Disposal team were done with their work.

The explosion occurred onboard Finifenma while it was nearing Izzuddin Jetty carrying President Abdulla Yameen and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim – who had just returned from their trip to Saudi Arabia on September 28, 2015.

Fayaz has been charged with obstruction of justice.

Police Chief Station Inspector Ahmed Azmath Abdulla testified in court on Tuesday, saying that he arrived at Izzuddin Jetty to investigate the case as soon as the explosion occurred.

Azmath said he then told MNDF officer Ali Farooq – who was there at the time – that police wanted to board the speedboat to investigate the explosion; in answer to with Farooq said that Fayaz was the one with the authority to grant the request.

Azmath said he then approached Fayaz – who was at the scene, and was told police would be allowed to board the speedboat after EOD team was done with their sweep.

Azmath had then called the then Deputy Commissioner of Police Hassan Habeeb and informed him of the situation.

Azmath said he saw Habeeb arrive at the jetty and talk to Chief of Defense Force Ahmed Shiyam.

He said that he was there when Fayaz ordered MNDF officials to take the speedboat to where MNDF sea vessels were located, and saw the officials obey the order and take it away.

Azmath said that he boarded the speedboat after MNDF officials, and that the crime scene was tampered with.

He said he saw some parts of the speedboat floating on the lagoon.

MNDF officer Ali Farooq also testified in court on Tuesday, saying that he was in charge of maintaining the presidential speedboat – Finifenma.

He said he heard the explosion while on the upper deck, and that some of the people onboard the boat were crying and screaming when he climbed down. And that President Yameen had been alright.

He, too, testified that the speedboat was taken away upon Fayaz’s orders.

The MNDF officer who drove the speedboat away also testified in court. He said that he drove the speedboat away upon Ali Farooq’s orders. And that he was not aware Fayaz gave him any order through anyone.