Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has stated that he looks forward to conducting all trials open to the public this year.
In a tweet posted Sunday, PG Shameem said he hopes to ensure that all trials held during 2020 are open to the public. The Prosecutor General's Office will cooperate in realising the vision, said the PG in his tweet.
He added that increasing transparency is the way forward to strengthen confidence and trust.
According to current regulations, the public can attend all hearings as much as space allows unless it is held behind closed doors for specific reasons. Recently, the high-profile money laundering trial of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom was broadcasted nationally live from the Criminal Court. This was the first time in recent history that multiple local channels telecast a trial live. 30 years ago, hearings of the people involved in the November 3, 1988 coup attack was broadcast on national radio.
President Yameen's trial was televised live with the agreement of both the defendant and the plaintiff after the presiding judge allowed the move.
After that, former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor requested to televise his corruption trial. However, the presiding judge did not entertain the request.
