High Court has granted former Vice President, Ahmed Adeeb 10 days to appoint a lawyer in the appeal case after Criminal Court dropped 7 charges against him.

Judge Mohamed Niyaz presided over the hearing today.

At the beginning of the hearing, the judge announced that the hearing will be addressing two of the charges against him from the seven total charges. Both these charges are related to abuse of power and using his position for illegal gains.

After being questioned regarding his lawyer, Adeeb noted that he is currently detained at Maafushi Prison. As per current regulations, meetings are allowed only if the lawyer is traveling from an island that has zero COVID-19 cases hence appointing a lawyer from Male' only allows meetings through phone calls or video calls due to which details of the case have not been shared.

Adeeb further added that Mahfooz was his lawyer during the detainment hearing only and that he was not the appointed lawyer for the entire case. Adeeb stated that he wished to appoint a new lawyer.

When questioned about this, the prosecution said that Maldives Correctional Service is practicing new regulations now where physical meetings are not allowed between lawyers and detainees.

As such they also noted the trial of former President Abdulla Yameen where the same issue arised which was solved by the PG requesting MCS for a special meeting on the order of the High Court. It was also added that if the defense wants, similar arrangements could be made.

The court then proceeded to grant Adeeb 10 days to appoint a judge.