Government has defended its decision to deny jailed former vice president Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor medical leave, insisting that there was a real threat that the ex VP would abscond.
The government quickly assured that the authorities would continue to provide proper health care to Adheeb.
Speaking at a press conference at the President's Office on Tuesday, Attorney General, Mohamed Anil said that all inmates being sent abroad for medical treatment have a high chance of fleeing and noted the serious nature of Adheeb's incarceration which include attempts and plots to assassinate the president.
The AG also said that Adheeb was the mastermind behind the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) mass corruption scandal and is guilty of embezzling USD 79 million from the state while stressing the importance for Adheeb to stay in the country until the state recovers the stolen money which is believed to be kept abroad.
Anil, however, assured that the authorities will not be negligent in providing medical care for the former vice president and that he will receive all rights of a prisoner.
Adheeb’s family has requested authorities to grant permission for Adheeb to travel abroad for medical treatment, claiming that he has been diagnosed with an internal cyst, kidney stones and a dangerous eye disease “glaucoma”.
The former vice president has been in prison since June 5, 2016.
The prosecution had raised terrorism charges against the former vice president for attempting to smuggle a pistol in to the country, and the lower court found him guilty after two witnesses testified against him.
One witness testified to seeing Adheeb with a pistol ahead of the May Day rally in 2015, while the other testified to seeing a pistol in Adheeb’s residence at the ‘Rehendhi’ apartment complex in Male.
Since Adheeb, who also served as the country’s tourism minister for over three years, was unable to produce sufficient evidence in his defence, the criminal court had sentenced him to imprisonment.
The appellate court also ruled that the witness testimonies were sufficient evidence to convict the Adheeb, and reiterated how he was unable to provide evidence in his defence.
Further, the appellate court had noted how the lower court had followed due procedure in presenting the witnesses, and also highlighted how Adheeb’s lawyers were given the opportunity to cross examine the prosecution witnesses.
The court concluded, stating that Adheeb was given ample time to produce evidence in his defence, and that the trial was carried out in accordance to the law.
While the appellate court upheld the lower court’s decision on the account of smuggling a pistol in the country, Adheeb has also been charged in two other colossal indictments.
Adheeb has been found guilty of conspiring to assassinate the president by planting explosives on the presidential speedboat “Fenifenmaa”, and he has also been found guilty of playing a hand in the mega corruption scandal of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).
PHOTO : AHMED SHURAU | AVAS
