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Maldivian judge asks Lankan Madushanka to find legal counsel
View(s):Lahiru Madushanka, the Sri Lankan accused of plotting to assassinate the Maldivian President, along with three others, was asked to find a legal counsel to represent him, as court hearings into the case began this week.
Presiding judge at the Maldivian Criminal Court, AIi Adam said he should find a counsel within the coming week, as the initial hearing into the case got underway. The trial is being conducted with the assistance of a translator.
Maldivian State prosecutor, Adam Mohamed told Court, when the case was taken up this week that, there were 16 documents pertaining to the case, eight of which the prosecution wishes to keep classified, so as to keep the identity of certain vital witnesses secret.
Judge Ali Adam said that court could provide the unclassified documents, if the defense considers blacking out the names of the witnesses. He would decide if the classified documents should be given to the defense team after reviewing them.
Madhushanka and three Maldivian nationals are accused of planning to assassinate the country‘s leader President Yameen. Madhushanka has denied the charges and says he was in Male to take up employment.
Madushanka (24) has been in detention for the past eight months, with his remand extended 23 times, since his arrest in August 2015.