Appeal hearing of MP Riyaz’s acquittal in 'phone unlock case' set for Tuesday
Obstruction charges were raised against the former police commissioner for allegedly not allowing the police access to his mobile phone
MP Abdulla Riyaz
A hearing in the state’s appeal of opposition lawmaker Abdulla Riyaz’s acquittal on obstruction charges has been scheduled at the High Court for Tuesday.
The hearing in the appeal case is set for 11:15am on Tuesday.
While the appeal hearings started last year, the court had, on 2nd April, concluded the hearings in the case. Hence, if there are no additional matters, the High Court will issue a verdict on Tuesday.
Obstructions charges were raised against the former police commissioner for allegedly not allowing the police access to his mobile phone, when approached with a court order to do so.
A three-judge panel at the Criminal Court had, in July 2017, found Riyaz ‘not guilty’ of obstructing police officers over his refusal to unlock his mobile phone.
While a hearing has been scheduled at the High Court, the Kinbidhoo constituency MP is currently under detention, after having been arrested in March under the state of emergency declared by incumbent President Abdulla Yameen, following a Supreme Court ruling which he described as ‘an attempted judicial coup’.
While terror charges have since been raised against Riyaz, Criminal Court has ordered to keep him until the trial into the charges conclude, and a verdict is issued.
