Five defense witnesses testify in MP Faris' hearing on Tuesday

Five witnesses have testified in defense of Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon at Tuesday hearing regarding identity fraud charges pressed against him by the state for the alleged unauthorized use of the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) flag and logo at a press conference.

On January 15, two state witnesses testified that Faris had indeed represented PPM at the press conference.

Faris is the son of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

The five who had testified in Faris’ defense are Aminath Nadira (top official of his father's faction of PPM), Abdul Aleem (former Secretary General of PPM), Ibrahim Afraad who was an active member in establishing the ruling party, Video Journalist at SanguTV Ahmed Mohamed, and Journalist Azmoon Ahmed.

They said that Faris had not spoken on behalf of the ruling party at the press conference held by the joint opposition parties and the Gayoom faction of PPM in March 2017 but had represented his father, Gayoom. They also testified that Faris had not used the ruling party’s flag and logo in said conference.

Nadira and Aleem said that no issue had been submitted to PPM's disciplinary committee regarding Faris, adding that he had not been dismissed from the party.

They added that Faris was dismissed after President Yameen took over the party, adding that they had received complaints that Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam and Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq had used the PPM flag and logo for campaign purposes during the parliament election. This matter, however, had been overlooked by the senior officials of the party.

Other politicians who were at the press conference include main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Adhaalath Party's MP for Makunudhoo constituency Anara Naeem and Jumhooree Party's deputy leader and MP for Kinbidhoo constituency Abdulla Riyaz.

Faris is to be sentenced under identity fraud charges on Wednesday.