The criminal court on Wednesday approved the withdrawal of charges against Ahmed 'Krik' Riza for resubmission after analyzing an audio recording of an alleged meeting between the defendant and Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Riyaz.
Krik Riza was charged over alleged corruption in the lease of Raa Fuggiri island. Former president Abdulla Yameen and the Sun Investment and Sun Construction and Engineering companies were also on trial along with Riza.
Yameen was charged with money laundering and accepting a bribe to lease Fuggiri, which was part of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption scandal that occurred during his presidency. Riza was charged with money laundering and acting as an intermediary to bribery.
The police sent a letter to the PG office on Tuesday asking for more time to analyze the audio submitted as defense evidence on behalf of Riza. The PG office sought permission from the criminal court on Wednesday.
The criminal court's media official confirmed to Adhadhu that approval has been granted as requested by the PG office.
In the letter, the police asked for the case to be put on hold as more time was needed to analyze the audio. The police noted that it was allowed by the new criminal procedures law.
