The advocacy team of former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom urges facilitation of direct meeting with him.
A combined statement of the ex-president's advocate team asserts the right of every Maldivian citizen to meet a lawyer of the convict's choice along with relevant time to prepare defense and acquiring necessary documentation for the trial.
Article number 51 of Maldives Constitution mentions the rights of the accused, which was made assertion in the team's statement.
Moreover, the barrister team claims the Constitutional provision under article 51 is safeguarded and ensured due process during an emergency declaration as well.
According to article 255 (b) (7) the Constitution's Article 51 or 'the rights of the accused' is protected.
The team further alleges Maldives Correctional Service intervening meetings between the former President and his advocates, which has remained in effect since late March 2020.
During the appeal hearing on 8 July lodged by the appellant, Yameen Abdul Gayoom, he made requests to meet with his advocates directly further mentioning he was not provided with the said opportunity.
The ex-president made the request during his appeal hearing at Maldives High Court.
Meanwhile, Maldives Correctional Service on 14 July communicated with Yameen's advocate team assuring they will receive permission to meet with the embittered former head of state over matters pertaining to his appeal hearing. However, the team was denied permission after they presented the request form to the correctional authority.
