The next hearing in the case is scheduled to be held next month.
Criminal Court has decided to live broadcast the retrial of former President Abdulla Yameen's corruption and money laundering cases related to the lease of Vaavu atoll Aarah, following his request.
These cases are being retried after the High Court overturned Yameen's conviction on charges of money laundering and bribery in connection with the lease of Vaavu atoll Aarah, which had previously led to an 11 year prison sentence.
High Court ordered a retrial, prompting today’s hearing at the Criminal Court to determine the next steps.
During the hearing, Yameen's legal team requested the trial to be broadcast live, as it had been during the previous proceedings. Justice Ali Nadeem agreed to this request, and decided that the trial will be live broadcasted from the next hearing onwards.
High Court's earlier ruling also stated that new evidence presented by the State in the retrial would not be accepted. The State has appealed to the Supreme Court to allow the inclusion of this new evidence, arguing that the outcome of the Supreme Court's decision could affect the presentation of evidence in the case.
However, the prosecution did not object to continuing with the retrial of the remaining parts of the case, which Yameen's lawyers had also supported.
Justice Nadeem decided to proceed with the retrial, giving both parties until Thursday to respond to the earlier submissions. The next hearing is scheduled for next month.
High Court also repealed the conviction of former Felidhoo constituency parliamentarian Yoosuf Naeem in the same case. The State has appealed Naeem's case to the Supreme Court, which has accepted the appeal.
In addition to the Vaavu Atoll Aarah case, Yameen faces separate charges related to the leasing of Raa atoll Fuggiri.
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