Nasheed denies Nazim

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has pleaded not guilty to defamation charges against him by Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim.

At today’s trial session, Nazim’s lawyer Areef Ahmed Naseem read out the charges against Nasheed, followed by Nasheed’s lawyer Hassan Latheef’s assertion that Nasheed pleads not guilty.

Areef said that Nasheed had undermined Nazim’s dignity and honour by calling him a ‘traitor’, and said that the statements were baseless and untrue.

He said that Nasheed’s claims had instigated belief in the society that Nazim had participated in a serious crime.

He further said that the statements by Nasheed could encourage distrust among the people towards Nazim, who is responsible for ensuring the country’s security.

Areef asked for MVR3.7 million from Nasheed in damages for defamation, and also presented a CD supporting his claims against Nasheed.

Hassan Latheef said in Nasheed’s defence, that Nasheed called Nazim a ‘traitor’ because it is the truth, and requested for the opportunity to present evidence in this regard.

Before concluding today’s session, Judge Mariyam Nihayath scheduled the next hearing for 18 October. She announced that Nasheed will be given the opportunity to present his defence at the next session.

Failure by Nasheed and his lawyer to appear in Court when summoned earlier for this trial prompted the Court to put up a red notification on the entrance of Nasheed’s residence, G. Keneryge, to summon him to Court today.