Court cancels first hearing over bribery charges against MP Faris Maumoon
Faris is being charged under Section 510 of the Penal Code, of having offered to bribe a public official or influence official authority
MP Faris Maumoon speaking to the press
The first hearing over bribery allegations against MP Faris Maumoon has been cancelled.
The hearing was scheduled for 10:00 am on Tuesday. The parliamentarian’s legal team was not informed of a reason for the cancellation.
Faris is being charged under Section 510 of the Penal Code, of having offered to bribe a public official or influence official authority. This class ‘three’ felony carries a sentence of three years and 12 months.
Parliamentarians that are serving a jail sentence longer than a year will lose their seats.
Faris was arrested on 18th July and said charges were put forth against him in August. The Criminal Court had ruled to detain him until sentencing, a decision heavily challenged by his legal team.
His legal team has filed five successive habeas corpus writs since his arrest. Lawyer Ibrahim Shameel said that the last of these were filed last week.
However, the High Court cancelled its hearing for Faris’ appeal of his detention, which was scheduled for Monday.
State prosecutors are also looking to file charges of identity fraud against Faris, for having used the ruling party’s flag and logo at a joint press conference with leaders of the opposition.
