MP Faris released after over six months of detention
Released after 191 days
MP Faris after his release
Criminal Court has sanctioned the release of Dhiggaru constituency MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon.
Judge Ali Adam had authorized the release of MP Faris in Thursday's hearing over the bribery allegations raised against the parliamentarian.
He was released with stipulations; a ban on influencing witnesses involved in the case, ban on traveling out of Malé without a permit from the court and to produce himself at Court when ordered.
MP Faris was released 191 days after he was arrested. In Thursday's hearing Judge Ali Adam referenced to the request made by the defense to appoint an independent forensic analyst to review the evidence submitted by Court. He said neither the court nor the prosecution had an issue with that but said such an analysis will take time.
The judge further noted that the most basic right for any defendant was time and resources to defend himself from the claims, adding that multiple complaints was filed by the defense over lack of access to lawyers.
He also said that MP Faris had served a significant amount of time in jail, especially given that the basic punishment for bribery was three years two months and 12 days.
Therefore, the judge ruled that MP Faris must be freed immediately and nullified the Criminal Court verdict to detain MP Faris for the duration of the investigation and trial, which was issued on July 19th.
