First hearing against ex-Pres. Maumoon's PA set for July

Criminal Court has scheduled the first hearing in the case against former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's personal assistant, Ahmed Sofwan, for July.

The hearing is scheduled for July 10.

The case was forwarded to the Prosecutor General's office on June 19, as Sofwan failed 'to respond to the multiple summons issued by police' and is charged with obstruction.

While authorities had attempted to deliver the summons to Sofwan, he is currently residing abroad. The Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a statement saying that Sofwan was 'a fugitive', accusing former President Maumoon and family of helping him flee the country.

He was summoned to the police headquarters over the investigation into Maumoon's son and MP for Dhiggaru constituency, Ahmed Faris Maumoon, claiming that Sofwan had actively worked with Faris.

Faris, who has been taken to the police a number of times for questioning, is being charged with fraud. The parliamentarian also accused of bribery.

However, Faris has refuted the 'bogus' accusations made against him by the government, adding that 'threats and intimidation will not make any difference to [his] work'.