Verdict due in ex-president Yameen’s money laundering trial

A new bench was empanelled to hear the case after Judge Ahmed Hailam was suspended hours before he was due to pass a verdict on November 5. The criminal court’s chief judge was placed under investigation for sharing a cartoon with the president and speaker of parliament in chains.

At Sunday’s hearing, the defence appealed for a fresh trial on the grounds that new judges would be unfamiliar with the case. Lawyers also asked for presiding Judge Ali Rasheed Hussain – who was appointed acting chief judge after Hailam’s suspension – to recuse himself for violating the code of conduct by giving an interview to the pro-government broadcaster Raajje TV.

But the bench decided to continue with the trial. In cases where a judge is unable to continue after hearing witness testimony, the precedent is to resume the trial, Judge Rasheed said, noting discretion afforded by the criminal procedures code.