Adeeb’s appeal hearing cancelled over poor health

The appeal hearing scheduled at High Court this Sunday over the 15-year sentence issued against former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor has been cancelled due to his poor health.

Adeeb was issued the 15-year sentence by Criminal Court on June 9, 2016 after he was found guilty of an explosion on board the presidential speedboat, Finifenma, which former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, former First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim and a number of other high-ranking State officials were on board.

The sentence was appealed by Adeeb. And the High Court scheduled the first appeal hearing for this Sunday, which has been cancelled as Adeeb is currently hospitalized at the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

Adeeb has been hospitalized for over two weeks and underwent a surgery to remove kidney stones on November 19.

His attorney, Moosa Siraj reported to ‘Sun’ that Adeeb’s condition has not improved and that he now has high fever and has been given antibiotics to combat a post-surgery infection.

Siraj said the hearing this Sunday was cancelled at his request.

Adeeb had previously filed a case with the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) alleging failure by the State to provide his with sufficient medical care during his incarceration.

Siraj said the HRCM and Adeeb’s doctors have instructed that he be transferred to house arrest where he can receive the medical care he needs.

Adeeb is serving three sentences totaling 33 years in prison.

In addition to the explosion on board Finifenma, he has also been found guilty of involvement in the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) embezzlement scandal.

He is also in the middle of trial on a number of other charges linked with the MMPRC scandal.