Former Criminal Court Chief Judge Ahmed Hailam has refuted claims made by Criminal Court Judge Hassan Najeeb, claiming Najeeb asked him to imprison former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Najeeb stated at a news conference held by a team of lawyers and former judges on Saturday about alleged contacts between Hailam, who was originally in charge of hearing the money laundering case against Yameen, and Ali Zahir, the chief of staff for the President's Office.

According to Najeeb, he would never forget the conversations between Ali Zahir and Hailam that took place during Yameen's trial when he was in control.

Najeeb stated that, during a conversation with Ali Zahir, Hailam entered Najeeb's cabin, and Najeeb heard Hailam mention that he had heard Husnu Al Suood was getting appointed to the Supreme Court.

Sunday, Hailam told the press he was outraged by Najeeb's fake accusations against him in an effort to express his concern for Yameen's trial.

"There was no such call from Ali Zahir in Najeeb's presence, and it didn't happen that way". Hailam claimed.

Hailam stated that he had no idea what they were discussing. For him, it was not about fear of losing his job or talking to someone and having them influence his decisions in order to save his job, he added.