Dhiggaru Constituency MP and one of the senior figures of the reformist movement Ahmed Faris Maumoon says that it was deeply concerning that trials were held in close proximity and that the state had insisted on secret witnesses.

Speaking to press after the preliminary hearings of the identity theft case against him, MP Faris said that initially the documentation was exchanged on 4^th of this month and Court had informed that Judge Adam Arif will preside over the case. The Court had also informed that the case will be heard on the 17^th of this month.

However, with the summons, he said he was informed that Judge Ahmed Shakeel will preside over the case.

Faris added that a second summon was issued on 12^th of this month, ordering him to appear in Court on 13^th at 11.30 am. Judge Ibrahim Ali was the presiding Judge on the preliminary hearings.

Faris’ lawyer Maumoon Hameed said three Judges had so far been assigned to the case.

Faris added that he had requested for a delay to the 17^th, which was denied due to scheduling conflicts for that date. The case, he said, will now be heard on the 20^th, which was then again rescheduled to the 17^th.

This he said was deeply concerning, as it cast doubts on whether justice can be achieved.

MP Faris added that it was more concerning the prosecution had claimed they had secret witnesses. He said the nation had seen how the situation had turned for secret witnesses.

MP Faris is being charged with identity theft over the alleged use of the flag of ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM). Faris denies these charges, adding that he had not used either the Party’s flag or logo against the Party laws.