A preliminary hearing in the terrorism charges against MP Abdulla Sinan is scheduled for Thursday.

The hearing is set for 3pm.

Terrorism charges were raised against the South-Mahchangoalhi over allegations of conspiring to overthrow the government.

MP Sinan is one of the many members of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) that signed the controversial no-confidence motion against parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed back in 2017. After the Maseeh issue arose, Sinan had left the party and joined the opposition coalition in their reform work.

Prior to this, the lawmaker was a close associate of incumbent President Abdulla Yameen and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim, and until his resignation from the party, Sinan was the general secretary at the first lady’s ‘Sadaqat Foundation’.

After signing the motion against the speaker, Sinan flew abroad. Upon return to the country, the lawmaker was arrested at Velana International Airport but was released by the Criminal Court at his remand hearing.

Sinan has been in police custody since February 9, after turning himself over the police, who had launched a manhunt against him. As he was arrested under the state of emergency, he was informed of his allegations 35 days later, on March 17.