Former President Nasheed’s legal team has been barred from representing him during his hearing at the Criminal Court, held at 4pm local time yesterday.
President Nasheed’s legal team, which consists of five senior Maldivian lawyers, have been denied the right of audience at the Criminal Court.
The Court’s action means that President Nasheed will be forced to represent himself during the hearing.
Lawyer Hisaan Hussein, a member of President Nasheed’s legal team, said:
“This arrest and detention is completely arbitrary. President Nasheed has been dragged to jail unlawfully and denied legal representation. The conduct of the courts, police and President Yameen’s administration has been reprehensible. This is clearly and blatantly politically motivated.”
President Nasheed’s legal team has also raised a host of other legal irregularities since he was arrested on Sunday on charges of ‘terrorism’.
Nasheed’s legal team was not officially informed of the details of the charges against him, nor why he was arrested. He is only receiving information about his case from the media.
Nasheed nor his legal team has been informed of any ongoing investigations against him. His arrest warrant, issued by the Criminal Court on Sunday 22 February, did not contain key information as prescribed by law. For instance, the warrant did not stipulate the place where President Nasheed should be detained, or the period of his detention.
The warrant was issued by the Criminal Court at the request of the Prosecutor General, Muhthaz Muhsin, who personally attended the court to seek the order. However, under Maldivian law the Prosecutor General does not have the powers to request for the detention of any person.
The issuing of the arrest warrant was based on a classified police intelligence report, which is highly irregular as such reports are submitted only during the investigation stage.
Nasheed’s right to appeal, as provided under the Constitution, has been impeded. The Criminal Court refused on Monday to provide President Nasheed’s lawyers with the forms needed to lodge an appeal.
Meanwhile, Nasheed is still currently being held in Dhoonidhoo Island Detention Centre.