Trial against 12 opposition MPs: Court schedules hearing for late November

Criminal Court has scheduled a hearing in the case against 12 opposition parliamentarians, for this month.

The lawmakers are charged with obstruction for allegedly having broken police ranks and entering parliament grounds on July 24. Charges were raised against them under clauses 532 (a) and (c) of the Penal Code, on the 17th of August.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, the lawmakers said they have been notified that a hearing in the case is set for November 29.

Noting that an official from the Court had phoned them to inform them of the hearing, they said that they are yet to receive a summon notice.

If proven guilty, all 12 MPs face a minimum jail term of four months and 24 days, and a maximum of one year.

The first hearing in the case was held on September 26, and the MPs were given 10 days to appoint lawyers.

The 12 MPs are: Hinnavaru constituency MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Thulusdhoo constituency MP Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, Dhihdhoo constituency MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed, Hithadhoo Central constituency MP Ibrahim Mohamed Didi, Hithadhoo North constituency MP Mohamed Aslam, Kendhoo Constituency MP Ali Hussain, Henveyru South Constituency MP Mohamed Abdul Kareem, Maafannu West Constituency MP Mohamed Falah, Nolhivaram Constituency MP Hussain Areef, Maduvvari Constituency MP Mohamed Ameeth, Vilingili Constituency MP Saud Hussain and Henveyru North Constituency MP Abdullah Shahid.

MPs Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, Mohamed Ameeth, 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 24, 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.