Qasim's trial: second hearing cancelled despite warning to be held "in absentia"

Criminal Court cancelled Sunday night's hearing in Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim's case after announcing that the hearing "would proceed in his absence" if he fails to show.

A hearing in the bribery case against the business tycoon and Maamigilli constituency MP was scheduled for 8 pm on Sunday, after the Court was forced to cancel the initial hearing at 10:30 am, as he was admitted to ADK Hospital at around 9 am on Sunday. A hearing was also scheduled for 6 pm.

Sunday night's hearing, where both the prosecution and defence were to produce evidence, was cancelled after the prosecutors arrived at Court for the hearing.

The notice sent to Qasim summoning him to Court at 8pm stated that the hearing will be heard in absentia, if he fails to show.

His defence lawyer Hisaan Hussain said that holding a hearing without the presence of the accused "is against the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Act".

MP Qasim was hospitalized back in July as well, after suffering from dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath, and was released after around 10 days. While he had attempted to travel abroad for treatment then, authorities had decided to withhold his passport.

Qasim's legal team had, on Saturday, issued a statement noting that doctors at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) had advised for him to undergo a surgery that is not available in the Maldives, requesting to list the travel ban imposed on him.

Noting that their client has been receiving treatment for a lung and heart condition for most of his life, the statement highlighted that his condition worsened after being held in police custody twice this year.

The team emphasized that "his life could be in danger if the treatment is delayed".