Hearing scheduled in Azima’s case after one-year hiatus cancelled

A hearing scheduled by the Criminal Court in the case against former Legal Affairs Minster at the President’s Office, Aishath Azima Shakoor for this morning, after a one-year hiatus, has been cancelled.

Criminal Court stated that the hearing scheduled for 11:00am this morning, has been cancelled. However, they did not disclose a reason for the cancellation.

Sun has been informed that the hearing was cancelled as one of the lawyers in Azima’s legal team is currently undergoing quarantine.

Azima is charged with facilitating money laundering and providing false information to a state institution. 

The charges against her stem from the allegation she acted in violation of the agreement with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to keep USD 1 million in suspected stolen funds deposited by SOF Pvt. Ltd to former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s personal bank account at Maldives Islamic Bank in an escrow account, and of providing false information to ACC in its investigation against Yameen for money laundering. 

Charges against Azima were filed on February 17, 2019. The last hearing in the case was held on October 20, 2020. 

The case was initially heard by Judge Ahmed Hailam – who was later dismissed. The case was taken over by Judge Hassan Saeed – who later recused himself. 

The case is now being heard by Judge Ali Adam.