“Finifenma” explosion hearing closed for “national security reasons”

Criminal Court has announced that hearing scheduled for Sunday in presidential speedboat “Finifenma” explosion will be closed for “national security reasons.”

Criminal Court Information Officer Ahmed Mohamed Manik confirmed to “Sun” that the hearing, scheduled for 1 pm, will be closed.

He gave no specific reason other than to say that it was for “national security reasons”.

Former Vice President and Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor stands accused of masterminding the explosion with the purpose of assassinating President Abdulla Yameen

Abdul Gayoom and replacing him as the country’s president.

Adeeb’s two bodyguards – Hassan Rikaz (Ma. Sigma) and Ahmed Amir (Afza, L. Dhanbidhoo) stand accused of being his accomplices.

An anonymous state witness will be providing his testimony to prove that Adeeb was behind the explosion.

The particular witness had been abroad when the other anonymous state witnesses testified last week.

The explosion onboard the presidential speedboat occurred as the boat was nearing Izzuddin Jetty, carrying President Yameen, First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim who had just returned to the country after hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, on September 28, 2015.

An anonymous military officer who testified in court last week said that he prepared an improvised explosive device for Adeeb, which Adeeb said was to be detonated onboard a gulf craft speedboat.

The witness said that he prepared the explosive in phases, in Adeeb’s apartment at Rehendi Residence.

He said that Adeeb had called his after the “Finifenma” explosion and told him that it was his IED that was detonated onboard the speedboat, and ordered that he keep silent.

He said that Adeeb told him to say they only knew each other through the fireworks business if he was questioned by police.

Two anonymous police officers testified that Adeeb told them over the phone that the military officer was a decent person. And had nothing to do with the “Finifenma” explosion.

Hearings held on Saturday in two other cases against Adeeb – terror case against him for possession of pistols and explosives, and Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) USD 5 million embezzlement case – was also held behind closed doors for “national security reasons”.