The Criminal Court has cancelled its hearing on identity fraud allegations against MP Faris Maumoon, which was scheduled for 11:00am on Wednesday.
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.
RaajjeMV understands that the hearing is to be rescheduled for Thursday. The proceedings for the case has reached near conclusion and presiding judge Ibrahim Ali is to reach sentencing.
The state has put forth an anonymous witnesses and documentation stating that he had been removed from the party, and video footage of the press conference as evidence against the parliamentarian.
Faris is accused of using the Progressive Party of Maldives’ flag and logo at a press conference with fellow members of the Joint Opposition, after he had been removed from the party’s registry.
One faction of the ruling party is loyal to its founder and longstanding leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, a former president and now an opposition leader, while the other is loyal to incumbent President Abdulla Yameen. A Civil Court ruling had officially given authority of the party's offices to President Yameen.