Two lawyers from Qasim's legal team not allowed to enter today's hearing

Two lawyers from Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim's legal team has been prohibited from entering today’s court hearing against him.

In addition, the two lawyers- Ahmed Shafeeq and Hisaan Hussain- who are also representing JP’s parliamentary group leader Abdulla Riyaz, were prohibited from representing him in court as well.

They were informed of the court’s decision after they arrived at Criminal Court for MP Riyaz’s preliminary hearing on Thursday morning. Obstruction charges were raised against Riyaz on Wednesday.

While both lawyers have been prohibited from today’s hearing ‘due to an ongoing investigation against them’, Hisaan was not allowed in ‘due to comments she had made regarding Qasim’s case in a press conference on Wednesday’, where she called the court rulings ‘ambiguous’.

Hisaan told RaajjeMV that they learnt that they will not be allowed to represent their clients ‘only after arriving at court today’.

“I was told that my comments had created doubt among the people regarding the courts”, said Hisaan.

At the press conference on Wednesday, Hisaan had expressed concern that the court could, at Thursday’s hearing, decide to keep Qasim in custody till the trial completes.

Speaking at an opposition coalition gathering on Wednesday night, Hisaan had said that practicing law in the Maldives 'is a tough grind'.