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The defendant terminated the new attorney’s term in early June 2014, while questioning the last witness for the state.
The state closed his case on June 25, 2014. The defendant did not question the state witness and refused to testify in his defense.
Instead, they sought an eight-month postponement until February 2015 to allow them to raise funds to obtain a legal representative of their choice.
This was rejected by the court.
In August 2014, the court held that the unreasonable delays constituted exceptional circumstances under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act and ordered that the defendant’s case be considered closed.
As a result, the evidence adduced on behalf of the state was the only evidence that was before the court as the defendant did not testify.
The higher court held that the defendant’s defense amounted to mere denial.
The court determined that the defendants were involved in illegal activities in certain smelters where gold was being refined and in money laundering activities.
The defendants were sentenced to prison terms of 10 to 15 years.
