MP Faris' terror trial: Given two days to assign lawyer

Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon, son of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has been given two days to assign a lawyer at the first preliminary hearing on Monday.

At the hearing, Faris said that the Maldivian legal procedures are deeply flawed, and that he does not believe the trial would be conducted fairly, adding that his trial should be postponed.

Faris and his father are being charged with the attempt to overthrow President Abdulla Yameen’s government. Judge Ahmed Hailam is presiding over both cases.

Faris arrived at the hearing without a lawyer and asked that he be given 10 days to seek one. However, the judge gave him two days after noting that Faris had lawyers during the investigation.

Faris also said that he has never been convicted of a crime but is having to remain in jail without receiving the rights of prisoners. He added that he has not even received a document of the prison policies and asked the court to solve the issues he had highlighted.