Nareesh states he will not give statement on matters unknown to him

After refusing to provide a defence statement in the Fuggiri case against former President Abdulla Yameen, former Deputy Mayor of Male' City Ahmed Nareesh has claimed that he will not provide statements on matters he lacks knowledge of.

However, Nareesh has been investigated for providing a false statement in court before.

He previously provided a statement saying that the USD 1 million deposited to Yameen's account was counted by hand at Yameen's residence, and handed over to a person of Yameen's asking. Yameen's defence had sought the statement from Nareesh to prove that the money involved in the V. Aarah case was obtained to exchange dollars.

To prove once again that money involved was obtained for the same reason, Nareesh was called as a defence witness in the Fuggiri case as well. However, this time, he informed the Criminal Court that he refuses to provide a statement.

Responding to criticism on X against his decision, Nareesh said that he had refused 'to provide a statement on matters he lacks knowledge of'.

In yesterday's hearing, the Judge pointed out that Nareesh can be taken into custody and presented at court to provide a statement. However, Yameen's lawyer responded that Yameen did not wish to force him to provide statements.

While Nareesh has refused to provide a statement, the previous political relationship no longer exists between him and Yameen. Nareesh remains as a member of ruling People's National Congress, while Yameen is open in his opposition to this government.

After resigning from the post of Deputy Mayor, Nareesh currently serves in a ministerial rank position of Advisor at the Youth Ministry.

While Nareesh has refused to provide a statement in the Fuggiri case, questions have been raised about his statement in the Aarah case. In that statement Nareesh said that Yameen had accepted USD 1 million from former MP for Felidhoo Yoosuf Naeem and had in exchange, given to Naeem the equivalent amount in Maldivian Rufiya. He said that the money had been counted by hand at Yameen's residence.

The State, however, submitted new evidence claiming Nareesh's statement had been false. Police also investigated the matter. It was ruled that Nareesh's statement had been false.

The Criminal Court said that the statement included falsehoods and misinformation, and that it was made evident through inconsistencies in witness statements.