Criminal Court has declared that MP Mohamed Ameeth has lost his seat in parliament, says defence laywer Ali Zahir.

Ali Zahir made the comment at a press conference on Saturday evening, held by the defence team of the Maduvvari constituency MP and Villingilli constituency MP Saud Hussain.

Zahir said that the Court had ruled that Ameeth was no longer a member of the parliament as he was arrested for entering the parliament premises without permission after being disqualified from his parliament seat.

Noting that they will be appealing the ruling, Zahir highlighted that such matters can only be handled by the Supreme Court, according Article 74 of the Constitution.

Both Ameeth and Saud have been issued a 15-day remand.

MP Saud had submitted himself to police on Friday, after a manhunt was announced on him. He had gone there to inquire as to why it was announced, and was arrested on arrival.

In addition, MP for Thulusdhoo constituency, Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim was arrested and remanded over the same matter.

The opposition maintains that all three have been arrested unlawfully.