Criminal Court has decided to dismiss the seven stipulations imposed upon opposition leader Qasim Ibrahim.
Criminal Court had, on May 10, ruled to release the Jumhooree Party (JP) leader and parliament representative for Maamigilli constituency from police detention, with seven stipulations which are applicable for a period of 60 days. Prior to that, the court had ruled to keep him in police custody until his trial concludes.
The seven stipulations imposed on Qasim are;
- To assist in the police investigation into the allegations against him
- To refrain from any acts that constitute witness tampering
- To not leave the borders of the capital city
- To not make remarks that hinders the dignity of the parliament, judiciary, or government, and those that are charged with presiding over these institutions
- To not express sentiments inciting discord
- To not meet or interact with individuals who hold sentiments inciting discord
- To ensure that any lands or property held by him are not used to spread sentiments inciting discord
In a letter sent to the JP leader, the Criminal Court informed him of the decision to lift the conditions imposed on him.
The letter noted that the Maldives Police Service (MPS) has apologized for providing “false information” during Qasim’s remand hearing on May 10, which led to them imposing the conditions on him.
It said that MPS has apologized for providing the wrong information during the hearing, when the presiding Judge asked whether Qasim’s case had already been sent to the Prosecutor General (PG) Office. Police had said that the case had not been sent to the PG Office.
On Monday, it was revealed that the case indeed had been forwarded to the PG Office, with the office informing MPS, on May 10, that they were unable to prosecute Qasim over one of the allegations “due to lack of evidence”.
Following PG Office’s letter, Qasim’s legal team had called for the court to immediately dismiss the conditions.
Despite the stipulations, opposition leaders and former foes, former Presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed had rejoiced over news that Qasim had been released, with Nasheed noting that the release brings hope in their work.
