MP Abdulla Riyaz’s legal team has submitted documents regarding the allegations of attempting to influence the conduct of a public official, that the parliamentarian is facing.
Prosecutors are charging MP Riyaz under Section 511 of the Penal Code, for ‘influencing the exercise of official authority by a person who is or will be a public official’.
The charges were put forth against the Kimbidhoo constituency representative, who also previously served as commissioner of police, on November 23rd, 2017.
If found guilty, Riyaz can be imprisoned for a period of between nine and eighteen months. MP Riyaz has described the charges as a delibrate attemptto thwart the opposition ahead of the presidential elections slated for later this year.
Riyaz is the deputy leader of the opposition Jumhooree Party, the leader of which, Qasim Ibrahim, is also serving a jail term.
