High Court yet to formally accept Qasim Ibrahim's appeal

Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim’s appeal of the prison sentence against him is yet to be accepted by the High Court, his lawyers have said.

Lawyer Hisaan Hussein said that all the relevant documents have been filed with the High Court, including a detailed report of the sentence – which was filed on the 10th of November despite having filed for it two months ago. The appeal itself was filed on 10th September.

Criminal Court had, on August 24, sentenced the opposition leader to three years, two months and 12 days in prison, after finding him guilty of bribery. He was sentenced in absentia and was unable to attend court due to having been hospitalized at the time.

The charges were put forth under Section 510 of the Penal Code – on 'bribery and official misconduct' – claiming that he had attempted to influence the authority of a public official.