Hearing in MP Faris' identity theft trial scheduled for Thursday

A hearing in Dhiggaru constituency MP Faris Maumoon's identity theft trial is scheduled for Thursday.

A hearing was scheduled for last Thursday as well, but was cancelled after the prosecution requested for additional time to review the aspects put forward by the defense. The hearing was cancelled after Faris was brought to the Criminal Court; the Court had ruled to keep him in custody till a verdict is reached.

Only the preliminary hearings of the case have been conducted so far.

Identity theft charges were raised against MP Faris for the alleged use of the logo and flag of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), despite being dismissed from the party.

Faris was dismissed from PPM back in 2016, for voting against a three-line whip issued by the party, on the amendments to the Tourism Act.

The ruling party has been split into two factions since June 2016, with President Abdulla Yameen winning control of the party from its leader and his half-brother, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, through the Civil Court.

An additional case against MP Faris has been forwarded to the Prosecutor General (PG) Office, asking to raise bribery charges against him.