Qasim's trial: Defence asks Court to reconsider decision to hold hearings behind closed doors
The Jumhooree Party leader and Maamigilli constituency MP Qasim Ibrahim has been charged with bribery
Jumhooree Party leader and Maamigilli constituency MP Qasim Ibrahim has been charged with bribery
Defence lawyer of Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim has said that they have asked the Criminal Court to reconsider the decision to hold hearings in the trial against the parliamentarian behind closed doors.
Hisaan Hussain made the comment while speaking to the press after Tuesday's hearing in the trial against the Maamigilli constituency MP.
She said that the prosecutors had said that they had not asked the Court to hold the hearings behind closed doors.
"When asked to reconsider the decision, we were told that that we will be informed after the Court makes a decision on the matter," said Hisaan.
While three charges were initially raised against him- bribery, abuse of power and attempting to sway the vote of a parliamentarian- Criminal Court decided to reject the three cases as prosecutors failed to show up for a scheduled hearing.
Speaking to RaajjeMV, Prosecutor General Aishath Bisham said that the cases were rejected after the prosecutors had appealed to delay a hearing scheduled for July 10. The case was resubmitted in July.
While hearings against Qasim continue, police are investigating cases against a number of other opposition parliamentarians, who have been accused of obstruction, for entering the parliament on July 24. In addition, four parliamentarians are currently in police custody; Dhiggaru constituency MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon, Thulusdhoo constituency MP Mohamed Waheed, Maduvvari constituency MP Mohamed Ameeth and Villingilli constituency MP Saud Hussain.
