N. Velidhoo Community

4 October 2007
Report: Soodh

Member of the Special Majlis for Thaa Atoll Riyaz Rasheed has pleaded not guilty to defamation charges pressed against him by Seena Ahmed Zahir President of the People’s Majlis. Riyaz Rasheed pleaded not guilty at the opening of the trial in civil court.

Amed Zahir alleged that Riyaz Rasheed gave information to media accusing him of grabbing Riyaz Rasheed’s neck; at the premises of Majlis House on 2 September after the suspension of a session of Special Majlis due loss of quorum and that this action of Riyaz Rasheed was purposely done with intent of discrediting Seena Ahmed Zahir.

At the opening of the trial held yesterday in Civil Court, Shaheen Hameed , Attorney to Zahir said while the incident that occurred at the Majlis house did not have anything do with Zahir directly or indirectly, Riyaz, with the intent of discrediting Zahir, purposely gave information to media saying that Zahir manhandled Riyaz , grabbed his neck and shouted abusive language at him. Attorney Shaheen Hameed also said not only was this printed in bold letters in almost every newspaper in the country, it was also picked up by foreign media. This has affected the good name and dignity of Zahir.

In response, Attorney to Riyaz Rasheed , Husnu Al Suood said that as the issue of Zahir manhandling Riyaz is with the police pending investigations, he asked the Judge to throw out charges filed against his client Riyaz.

Judge Mohamed Naeem in closing yesterdays hearing asked prosecuting Attorney Shaheen to provide more details with regard to charge against Riyaz.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY