Former Governor of Maldives Monetary Authority Azeema Adam has declined to testify on behalf of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom at his money laundering trial.
Taking Azeema’s testimony was scheduled for the hearing on Wednesday as Yameen had listed Azeema as a defence witness. She served as the governor of the central bank during the Yameen’s administration.
In a letter sent to Criminal Court on Wednesday in response to her subpoena, Azeema explained that she is unable to attend the court to testify as she is employed abroad, according to Judge Ahmed Hailam. The letter also explained she had no testimony to submit to the court.
Azeema’s testimony and making a decision over watching the video testimony of former President of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) President Hassan Luthfee was scheduled for the hearing on Wednesday.
Judge Hailam decided to watch the video outside the court hearing. The defendant was also granted the option to watch the video should the defendant wishes. When the defence lawyers objected to the decision to watch the video testimony of Luthfee, the court reiterated the decision to watch the video requesting the defence lawyers not to challenge the court’s decisions.
State prosecutors have taken testimony of all witnesses presented against Yameen. Witnesses presented by the state included former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, former Minister of Tourism Moosa Zameer, former Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Abdulla Ziyath and former President and Vice President of ACC Hassan Luthfee and Muawwiz Rasheed.
The last hearing of the case has been scheduled for October 10.