Secret witness retracts leaked statement

A prosecution witness in the terrorism trials of top judges and politicians has retracted his testimony after his secret statement was leaked online.

Ibrahim Shiyam, who claimed to have handed over bags of cash to lawmakers, informed the criminal court and police that he was no longer willing to testify, local media reported Wednesday.

The police investigator who took his statement gave assurances that his identity would remain concealed if it is submitted to court, Shiyam said.

The statements were taken for the investigation that followed the February 1 Supreme Court ruling ordering the release of President Abdulla Yameen’s opponents.

The revelations from the statements prompted police threats of action against “influential suspects” behind the leak.