Government holding Qasim hostage: MP Shahid

Former parliament speaker Abdulla Shahid has said that Jumhooree Party leader, Qasim Ibrahim is being ‘held hostage’ by the government.

Speaking to RaajjeTV’s ’60 minutes’ program on Saturday night, Sahid said that Qasim was arrested and remanded ‘against regulations’, adding that he was arrested to meddle with the work of parliamentarians.

“The government has taken Qasim Ibrahim hostage, through the institutions. His arrest and remand are unlawful. He is being held hostage,” said the MP for North-Henveiru constituency.

While with the no-confidence vote on parliament deputy speaker is scheduled for Tuesday, Shahid said that the law states that parliamentarians in detention are to be brought to such sessions, but that the Supreme Court has made the point null and void.

Shahid further noted that lawmakers have been arrested during other administration’s as well, including Qasim and incumbent President Abdulla Yameen- then Mulaku MP- and emphasized that both of them were brought to parliament sessions while in detention.

He said that if Qasim is not brought for Tuesday’s vote “the this a game being played by the government”.

Shahid said that he believes that the government will work to arrest more parliamentarians, but that they will not be able to hold on to their majority in parliament “for much longer”.

JP leader, and MP for Maamigilli constituency, Qasim Ibrahim was arrested on Thursday night, under claims of bribery, and attempting to hide evidence. Criminal Court issued him a six-day remand on Friday evening.

Initially part of the ruling coalition, Qasim joined the opposition in March.