Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon remains in prison five months after filing an appeal to his arrest and detention order.

Criminal Court issued the arrest order on July 18, and ordered that he remain in police detention until the investigation and trial into bribery allegations conclude.

High Court accepted Faris’ appeal case on July 25.

Charges against Faris include attempted bribery of an MP over the impeachment vote of pro-government Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh.

High Court notified that appeal hearings had concluded on August 9, but the bench that presided over the case has changed after Judge Usman replaced Judge Sameer.

Faris’ legal team has repeatedly requested the courts to speed up the appeal case, and has asked the Prosecutor General to release him after citing that even the High Court admits that the charges against him are not serious.

While he was arrested for alleged bribery on July 18, the State had charged him on August 17.

He is also charged with identity fraud for using a flag of the ruling party in a news conference.