The judge handling the case of the pick-up driver who had run through police files during the infamous Mayday protest – organized by Adaalath Party – has decided to collect all witness testimonials of the case within one day’s time.
The decision was made due to the defendant – Ibrahim Basith، Alimasge، S. Hithadhoo – requesting as such. Mr. Basith is prosecuted with terrorism charges.
The charges incite that during the 1st May protest event، Basith had drove through the police barricade laid near MMA building across Malé fish market. He had driven the vehicle past the officers on site without obeying police order to stop the vehicle – and had endangered the lives of the officers active on site.
Basith had denied the charges، following which state had presented several evidences against him which includes photo and video evidence as well as the testimonials of 25 police officers.
Basith’s advocate stated that with several eyewitnesses to the incident، there is elevated chance of influencing one witness to the other if the testimonials are taken on separate occasions.
Following this، judge Ahmed Sameer Abdul-Aziz had supported the motion and decided to proceed as requested by the defendant، since it is a more just and transparent method – he also added that defense testimonials will be taken on the same day as the state presented witnesses testify for the case.
State had responded to the decision stating that several of the officers involved in the case are currently out of town over various operations، to which judge had ordered a three day period to gather information over the said officers’ arrival date to Malé.
Should Mr. Ibrahim Basith be found guilty over the terrorism charges، he is looking into a jail term of about 10 to 15 years.