Prosecutors have also attested that the criminal sentencing of opposition leader Qasim Ibrahim was not completely valid.

At an appeal hearing for his conviction, Qasim’s lawyers submitted a total of 13 points highlighting how the opposition leader was sentenced unlawfully.

One of these points included his sentencing having been heard in absentia. Prosecutors at the hearing attested that, given the circumstances, this method of sentencing is not valid, according to law.

Upon being pressed to answer why this was not highlighted in the lower court proceedings, prosecutors had not answered the presiding judge’s question.