Chief Justice, Judge Hameed’s trial to be held behind closed doors

The Criminal Court on Thursday decided to hold Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Judge Ali Hameed’s trial behind closed doors.

Judge Abdullah Saeed and Judge Ali Hameed were arrested under the state of emergency declared by President Abdulla Yameen in February, after the Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling to free nine high-profile political prisoners.

The Chief Justice has been charged with terrorism and obstructing the functioning of the state, while Judge Ali Hameed has been charged with terrorism. They have both been remanded until trial end and are suspended without any pay or allowances under the judicature act.

The recently ratified amendment to the Judicature Act states that if an appellate court finds a judge guilty of a criminal offence, the procedures declared in Article 154 of the Constitution will not applicable and the judge will be removed from office. The government had proposed the new amendment at a time when Chief Justice and Judge Hameed were arrested over serious allegations.