Judge: Ziyath’s lawyer would be suspended if he don’t appear in court

The Judge presiding over the case of the former Managing Director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations (MMPRC), Abdulla Ziyath in the MMPRC Corruption has said that if his lawyer does not appear in court, the lawyer would be suspended.

Ziyath was charged with corruption for embezzling USD 5 million that was supposed to go the state as an inquisition cost after leasing Lhaviyani Maabinhuraa to Kureddhoo Holdings to develop a resort. Haamid Ismail and the former Vice President, Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Gafoor has been charged for their involvement in the corruption.

Judge Ibrahim Ali said today that the lawyer of Abdulla Ziyath sent a letter to the Criminal Court saying that he cannot attend the court today since he was ill.

The Jugde said that it being sick is an accepted excuse to the court for not attending, but if the lawyer fails to appear at the next hearing, he would be suspended from the case. Lawyers of Haamid and the former Vice President Adheeb did attend the hearing today.

At the last hearing, the state presented nine names as closed witnesses.

But since the state did not give the reason for the witnesses and so the Judge gave a second opportunity to present the names with the reason.

Next hearing in the case would have the presenting of the defence witnesses.