Section changed and hearing scheduled to tomorrow in Launch explosion case

After changing the section it was under, a hearing in the case of the explosion on board the Presidential Launch “Finifenma” has been scheduled for tomorrow.

The case was previously set as a section-B case. The Judge of section-B is the Judge Ahmed Rasheed currently presiding over the case. It is unclear which Judge is in charge of the section.

The hearing in the case today was cancelled after Judge Saeed Ibrahim on the Judge’s Bench of the case took a sick day. While the Judge took a sick day, yesterday the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) passed to transfer him to the Juvenile Court.

The third judge on the bench in the case is Judge Ibrahim Ali.

Although rumors have spread that changes to the judge’s bench in the case have been made, it has not been confirmed yet. The Criminal Court has share no information regarding any changes to the media.

The state brought up charges against the former Vice President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Gafoor and accused of him being behind the explosion that took place on board the Presidential Launch. The former Vice President and his two bodyguards, Ahmed Amir and Hassan Rikaz are being charged with terrorism. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Former Vice President Adheeb was also charged with misuse of official authority after being accused of boarding the Presidential Launch to plant an IED. The hearing in that case was scheduled to 1 p.m.

The two hearings would have the presenting of state witnesses and their testimonies. But it is yet unclear whether the hearings can be held tomorrow.

A hearing in the case against Adheeb charged with terrorism for being in possession of a pistol in May 2015 has also been scheduled for tomorrow at 3 p.m. where the state would present witness testimonies.

Also, a hearing was scheduled for 2 p.m. tomorrow in the embezzlement of the acquisition cost from Kuredhoo Holdings to develop Lhaviyani Maabinhuraa as a tourist resort.

In that case, the former Managing Director of the Maldives Marteking and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Abdulla Ziyath was charged with embezzling. And the former Vice President Adheeb and Haamid Ismail were charged with aiding the embezzlement.