Witness statements of four individuals has been taken in the ongoing trial against former head of Presidential Security Ahmed Fayaz Ali Riza, who had been charged with obstruction of duties in connection to the explosion aboard the Presidential speed boat.
Three witness statements were taken in the morning session of the trial, with the last witness giving an anonymous statement in the afternoon session.
In his statement to the trial, Chief Station Inspector Ahmed Azmath Abdullah said that when the Police had attempted to embark the launch after the incident, they had been halted from doing so. The MNDF personnel at the scene, Ali Farooq, said the authorization can only be given by Papa.
Azmath added that they had attempted to board the vessel later when Papa was at the scene but was denied the opportunity as Papa said that they will be given access after MDNF EOD team had finished their search.
He said that he was there when Fayaz ordered MNDF officials to take the speedboat to where MNDF sea vessels were located, and saw the officials obey the order and take it away. Azmath said that he boarded the speedboat after MNDF officials, and that the crime scene was tampered with. He said he saw some parts of the speedboat floating on the lagoon.
MNDF officer Ali Farooq also testified in court on Tuesday, saying that he was in charge of maintaining the presidential speedboat – Finifenma. He said he heard the explosion while on the upper deck, and that some of the people onboard the boat were crying and screaming when he climbed down. And that President Yameen had been alright. He, too, testified that the speedboat was taken away upon Fayaz’s orders.
The MNDF officer who drove the speedboat away also testified in court. He said that he drove the speedboat away upon Ali Farooq’s orders.
The anonymous witness had testified that Papa had not allowed Police officers to board the speedboat. He said that he was informed of the explosion by a phone call. He added that he had also visited the area where launches were kept and said that he was told that Police can board only after the EOD team.
Two anonymous witnesses had been presented by the state, but the second witness was unable to attend session as he was unwell. Presiding Judge Ahmed Rasheed announced that an additional hearing will be carried out on May 23.
Four witness statements taken in Papa trial
