Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon's sentence hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, 1:30pm.

Faris, the son of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, is charged with identity fraud for using the ruling party's flag and logo without permission.

Back-to-back hearings were scheduled at the Criminal Court in Faris’s identity fraud case this week.

Faris has expressed concern over how fast his trial is proceeding when compared to other trials involving prominent political figures in incarceration.

Some of these cases had heard the sentencing on the same day the summary statement was heard, which includes that of his father, former President Gayoom, who was issued his prison sentence shortly after the summary statement was heard.

State witnesses testified in court against Faris on February 15, after which the court had scheduled hearings on June 18 and 19, saying that they wanted to “save time.” In the hearing on Monday, the court heard the testimony of one witness from the defense. While Faris submitted the names of 47 people as witnesses, the court issued summons for only 10. However, only one came to the hearing. The witness South-Henveiru MP and opposition party MDP's Parliamentary Group member Mohamed Abdul Kareem. At Tuesday's hearing, the court heard the testimonies of only six witnesses.

Judge Ali noted that most of the 47 defense witnesses were parliamentarians and some that held top government positions. Some of the witnesses had refused to give their testimonies in Faris’s defense. They include ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM)’s parliamentary group leader Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik, PPM Vice President Abdul Raheem Abdulla, PPM Secretary General Abdulla Khaleel, South-Maafannu constituency MP Abdulla Rifau and Mid-Maafannu constituency MP Asma Rasheed. Judge Ali said that they cannot be forced to give their testimonies.

The Judge said that 19 of the witnesses had incomplete information. They include Prosecutor General Aishath Bisham, Attorney General Mohamed Anil, Commissioner of Police Abdulla Nawaz, Assistant Prosecutor General Jihadha Anees as well as former President of the Elections Commissions Fuwad Thoufeeq.

While the identity fraud charge has been pressed against Faris for the unauthorized use of PPM’s logo and flag, he was the leading figure to bring the party into existence as well as registering the party at the Elections Commission.