"Shumba Gong" Ashraf's trial to reconvene on Monday
Ashraf was arrested in October 2015
Ahmed "Shumba Gong" Ashraf with former VP Ahmed Adeeb
A hearing in the trial of social media activist, Ahmed "Shumba Gong" Ashraf has been for Monday at the Criminal Court, after an almost yearlong hiatus.
His hearing is scheduled for 1 pm, Monday.
The state raised extortion charges against the close ally of jailed former vice president, Ahmed Adeeb, in February 2016. He was arrested in October 2015, from Sri Lanka. Interpol issued a red notice for Ashraf; one of the eight individuals wanted in connection to the blast on President Abdulla Yameen's speed boat, in September 2015.The President, First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim and some members of the cabinet were on board at the time of the blast. Former VP Adeeb is the main suspect in the blast, and has been charged with terrorism.
The last hearing was held in March 2016, and while a hearing was scheduled for December, it was cancelled.
At Monday's hearing, the state will present witnesses to prove the case against Ashraf.
While the Court has ordered for him to kept in custody until the end of the trial, there have been allegations that Ashraf is being tortured by prison officers. The case has been filed at the National Integrity Commission, and the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM). However, the institutions are yet to complete their investigations and reveal the results.
