MP Sinan's hearing cancelled due to absent lawyers

The fourth consecutive hearing in the terrorism trial against Member of Parliament for South-Mahchangoalhi constituency Abdulla Sinan has been canceled.

The hearing scheduled for 12:00 pm on Tuesday was supposed to allow the submission of pre-trial documents and defense witnesses. However, the said hearing has been rescheduled four times and canceled at the last minute.

Criminal Court's media official Ahmed Mohamed Manik informed media that the hearing was canceled since the defense lawyers were not able to be present at the court. The said lawyers were unable to attend the hearing because the trial of Chief of Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Waheed were ongoing in High Court.

The allegations raised against MP Sinan include being involved in a plot to overthrow the government through the parliament since 2017, as well as taking bribes and committing acts that are a threat to national security. The parliamentarian is also accused of working with former police commissioner Ahmed Areef to create public unrest by pitting police officers against each other.

If the allegations against MP Sinan is proven in court, he will receive a jail sentence of 17 to 20 years.