12 opposition lawmakers given 10 days to appoint lawyers
A hearing was held on Tuesday
A hearing was held on Tuesday
The 12 parliamentarians, charged with obstruction, have been given 10 days to appoint a lawyer.
At the first hearing of the case held on Tuesday, all members had asked to move forward with a lawyer, highlighting the challenges in appointing one, as a number of defense lawyers are currently under suspension.
Some asked to continue the case after the suspension is lifted, while others requested to be given more time, two months, to appoint attorneys. They noted that some of the lawyers are hesitant to take such cases "due to threats".
However, presiding Judge Adam Arif noted that the defendant will get 10 days to appoint a lawyer, under the Criminal Procedure Act. Judge Arif said that the Court revisit the matter, if they fail to appoint a lawyer within the 10 days
The parliamentarians facing allegations are:
• MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Hinnavaru Constituency
• MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed, Dhidhdhoo Constituency
• MP Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, Thulusdhoo Constituency
• MP Ibrahim Mohamed Didi, Central-Hithadhoo Constituency
• MP Mohamed Aslam, North-Hithadhoo Constituency
• MP Ali Hussain, Kendhoo Constituency
• MP Mohamed Abdul Kareem, South-Henveiru Constituency
• MP Mohamed Falaah, Maafannu Constituency
• MP Hussein Areef, Nolhivaram Constituency
• MP Mohamed Ameeth, Maduvvari Constituency
• MP Saud Hussein, Villingili Constituency
• MP Abdulla Shaheed, North-Henveiru Constituency
MPs Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, Mohamed Ameth, and Saud Hussein are also facing allegations of trespassing for having entered the parliament premises while the Elections Commission had decided that they have lost their seats in parliament in accordance to a Supreme Court ruling banning floor-crossing.
On July 24th, a number of opposition aligned parliamentarians had entered the premises after military officials locked it down. A vote of no-confidence against parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh was scheduled for that day.
However, Maseeh had decided that parliament would be in indefinite recess, causing other MPs to protest this through holding the session. MPs that entered the premises were pepper-sprayed and forcibly removed from the parliament grounds.
