Mayor Saud granted opportunity to appoint legal counsel in Thinadhoo City population dispute
1 ނޮވެމްބަރު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 13:09The Criminal Court has held a hearing in the case against Thinadhoo City Mayor Saud Ali, who is accused of providing fraudulent population data to secure city status for the island. During the proceedings, the court granted the Mayor the opportunity to appoint legal counsel, with the presiding judge ordering the defense to enter a plea and disclose evidence at the next hearing scheduled for the 10th of next month.
A court hearing has been held in the case against the Mayor of GDh. Thinadhoo City, Saud Ali, who is accused of submitting fraudulent population data to state authorities in a bid to secure city status for the island. | Raajje MV
The Criminal Court on Sunday held a hearing in the case against the Mayor of GDh. Thinadhoo, Saud Ali, who is accused of submitting falsified population data to state authorities in a bid to secure city status for the island.
During the hearing, the prosecution detailed the charges filed against Saud. Furthermore, the state outlined the potential penalties that would be imposed should he be found guilty.
In this case, Saud has been charged with the offense of knowingly submitting a fraudulent document and providing false information to an official authority.
The state prosecutor stated that any defendant has the right to request a plea agreement. He noted that if sentencing is determined under such an agreement during the preliminary hearing, the penalty for the charge of knowingly providing a fraudulent document would be reduced to one year and 12 days. Furthermore, the prosecutor highlighted that the penalty for the charge of providing false information to an official authority would be reduced to three months under the same agreement.
Following the presentation of charges by the state, Saud stated that he requires time to review the relevant documentation and appoint legal counsel, requesting the court to grant him this opportunity. He further noted that his responsibilities as Mayor are based in Thinadhoo, and that his official duties had contributed to the delays in the process.
The presiding judge noted that the defendant had been granted the opportunity to appoint legal counsel on October 5th. Highlighting the defendant's absence from the subsequent hearing, the judge stated that failing to attend or provide prior notice of an inability to appear—without a valid legal excuse—is irresponsible. The judge further emphasized that when the court issues a summons, it must be respected and followed.
The presiding judge announced that a hearing for the case has been scheduled for November 10. During that session, the judge stated that the defense must enter a plea in response to the charges. The judge further noted that the proceedings for that day would also include the disclosure of evidence related to the case.
The judge stated that a decision regarding the order to protect evidence would also be reached on that day.
Judge Ahmed Shafiu is presiding over this case at the Criminal Court.
