Criminal Court has assembled a bench of five judges to preside over the money laundering trial against the former President, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

A resolution issued by the Acting Chief Judge of the Criminal Court, Ali Rasheed today said that the decision was made as per the request from the former president's defence team.

And so, in the preliminary phase, President Yameen has requested that his case be presided over by a panel of judges instead of a single judge. Judge Ali Rasheed said that the defence stands by on that stance.

Judge Rasheed said that the decision was made under Article 58 of the Courts Act after reviewing the type and classification of the case.

The new bench of judges for the case are:

  • Judge Ali Rasheed Hussain
  • Judge Ahmed Shakeel
  • Judge Mohamed Sameer
  • Judge Ali Adam
  • Judge Hussain Faizan Rashad