'You are in contempt of court': Qasim responds to police summon
Police, last week via twitter, issued a summons to Qasim and opposition MDP leader, former President Nasheed
Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim being carried out of court last August, after fainting
Leader of opposition Jumhooree Party (JP), Qasim Ibrahim has responded to the summons issued to him by the Maldives Police Service (MPS).
MPS had, last week via twitter, issued a summon on Qasim and opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leader former President Mohamed Nasheed, accusing them of “fleeing” after being given the permission to travel abroad for medical purposes. Qasim was sentenced to over three years in prison on attempted bribery last year while Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison on terror charges back in 2015.
Qasim responded to the police via twitter as well, saying “I am undergoing medical treatment”.
“Criminal Court has ordered authorities to make necessary arrangements for me to receive medical treatment abroad. While I am getting medical treatment as per the order, I believe that police calling me a fugitive and trying to summon me to the police is in contempt of court”, reads an attachment posted to the tweet.
After being granted medical leave, Qasim traveled to Singapore on September 6, 2017. He has since traveled to Germany, under a special permit by the German authorities.
The police’s decision to publicize their summons via twitter has been widely criticized, with figures such as former attorney general Husnu Al Suood noting that the police had violated Twitter privacy rules by including Nasheed and Qasim’s national identity card number, permanent address and date of birth.
The business tycoon and Maamigilli constituency MP was found guilty of attempted bribery on August 24, 2017. It is important to note that the Criminal Court had held his sentencing hearing at night, while Qasim was hospitalized after collapsing in the courtroom earlier that day. He was sentenced in absentia.
