The defense attorneys for former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum have withdrawn their request to modify his bail conditions to permit travel to Singapore for a medical review. Sayed-Khaiyum appeared in court today before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad. His lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, informed the court that they would explore other avenues under the Bail Act.
Sayed-Khaiyum is facing a charge of abuse of office, stemming from a complaint filed by the Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa. The allegation is that between June 30 and July 12, 2022, while serving as Acting Prime Minister, Sayed-Khaiyum signed a Deed of Variation and Addendum with the then Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, allowing the government to pay Saneem’s taxes without the necessary approvals from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the President.
Saneem himself is charged with receiving a corrupt benefit, accused of improperly requesting and obtaining over $50,000 in tax relief on his back pay from a senior government official between June 1 and July 31, 2022.
The case has been adjourned to August 20.