The state has requested not to disclose some of the evidence submitted to court regarding the anti terrorism operation held in Maduvvari of Raa atoll in December 2019.
Several people arrested in the operations were accused of supporting terrorist organisations.
According to the Police the arrestees support terrorist organisations, and works to spread extremist views and aimed to live separately from society. They refuse to vaccinate their children, and some of them had "married" children under the age of 18 within them as well.
The state accuse five people arrested in these operations for supporting terrorist organisations; Ibrahim Zihad, Hassan Raazee, Hasan Siyad, Adam Suhail, and Ibrahim Shibunee. Except for Shibunee, who is from Noonu Manadhoo, the other four people are from Maduvvari.
A man named Mohamed Maujood, also from Madduvari, was arrested in these operations. Maujood, Jihad, Suhail, and Raazee were accused of having documentation that showed they were a part of terrorist organisations as well. Raazee is further accused of creating and possessing pornographic images.
Criminal Court conducted hearing on Sunday where all their cases, except Maujood's were held. Evidence were submitted and discussed prior to the trial in this hearing.
The state had requested to protect seven witnesses and to allow for them to provide their statements while their identities are not disclosed. Refusal to do so may lead to several parties to suffer physical and financial damages, the state said.
Documental evidences the state had requested to classify include several analysis reports and statements provided by Raazee's daughter.
The Defence lawyers had requested that none of the evidences be classified, as that is required to adequately prepare their defence.
Defence had requested to remove evidences that were not applicable to some of their clients. However the state had said since the accused all operated within the same cell, evidence submitted for one of them were applicable to others as well.
The state argued the charges regarding the pornographic content were pressed 15 days after the initial arrest. They said as this was a minor offence the duration for the investigation could not be extended. However, as this was a terrorism investigation, such durations could be extended, the state said.
The next hearing regarding this case will be held on September 12. Judge Hussain Faaiz Rashaad conducting this hearing said that a decision would be made in the next hearing over the requests by both parties.
The state accuses this group for supporting terrorist group Islamic State.
Additional individuals arrested over the Madduvari operations had been accused of participating in terrorist activities and sexually abusing minors as well.
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