Court to hear Adeeb’s complaint of discriminatory treatment after talks fail

The civil court will formally hear a complaint by detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb over discriminatory treatment in police custody after failing to settle the dispute out of court with the state.

Adeeb, who was arrested on suspicion of links to the September 28 explosion on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat and now standing trial on separate charges of terrorism and graft, has alleged that the police are monitoring his family visits.

“My client meets his family from behind a glass wall, and he is forced to speak with them through a phone. This is not done to any other person in custody,” said Hussein Shameem, the former deputy prosecutor general who represents Adeeb.

Shameem said family members suspect that their conversations are monitored.

State lawyers, during the third meeting of a dispute resolution process at the civil court on Tuesday, denied treating Adeeb differently. The complaint will now be heard during a formal trial.

Complaints filed at the civil court are first mediated through a dispute resolution mechanism, and only forwarded to a formal trial if the parties involved are unable to reach an agreement.

On Wednesday, Adeeb alleged that he was being made to sleep on a two-feet long concrete slab, even though he is approximately five foot nine inches tall. According to Adeeb’s lawyers, the state did not comment, and asked for more time to clarify the issue.

Adeeb’s lawyers have also alleged mistreatment, noting three of them were suspended in November, with the Supreme Court ordering the police to launch an investigation against Shameem on an unspecified charge.

Shameem has now left the country for fear of reprisals.

Adeeb, who was arrested from the airport following an official visit to China, was immediately transported to a police remand facility on Dhoonidhoo Island, located 15 minutes from the capital.

He was not brought to Malé for remand hearings, with judges choosing to conduct hearings by videoconference. The criminal court has since announced plans to build a courtroom with better videoconference facilities at the detention center.

The former vice president was not brought to Malé for impeachment proceedings either. Many have called the vote illegal.

Adeeb was first brought to Malé earlier this month for a doctor’s visit. Since then, his hearings have taken place in the capital.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed won the right to weekly family visits at the civil court in October.