Defence lawyer of Ibrahim Siyad Qasim, Noorul Salaam, has expressed concern over not being allowed to meet with his client in police custody.

Salaam said that Siyad’s family and lawyers were informed of his transfer to Maafushi Prison on March 22, adding that they have not been allowed to meet with him since.

Noting that they have been working to meet with him since Friday, the lawyer said that they have yet to receive an adequate response from the Maldives Correctional Services (MCS).

Siyad, Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim’s son, was arrested following the declaration of a state of emergency, and the Criminal Court had since ordered to keep him remand until the duration of the investigation and trial against him.

Highlighting that Siyad’s remand order ‘clearly states that he be allowed business meetings,’ Salaam said that MCS is violating this as well.

Siyad is accused of bribery, after documents found in Judicial Administrator Hassan Saeed’s home had allegedly implicated him in unlawful activities.