Opposition PNC leader's disorderly conduct trial set for Sunday
Charges against Abdul Raheem were forwarded to the Criminal Court in October last year
Abdul Raheem Abdulla at an opposition protest
The first hearing of the trial against President of the People's National Congress and acting leader of the opposition coalition Abdul Raheem Abdulla is set to begin on Sunday, where he will be presented with charges for disorderly conduct under Section 615 of the Penal Code of the Maldives.
Abdul Raheem, who also held the position of Member of Parliament for the Fonadhoo Constituency during the 18th People's Majlis as a high-level political figure under former President Abdulla Yameen's administration, is charged with exhibiting unsuitable behavior within the boundary of the Criminal Court.
The first hearing in Abdul Raheem's disorderly conduct trial is scheduled for 9am on Sunday.
The former lawmaker was charged with disorderly conduct within the boundary of the Criminal Court in relation to his actions in a protest, with the Prosecutor General's Office having forwarded the charges against him to the Criminal Court on 26 October 2020. Abdul Raheem is charged with disorderly conduct as described in Section 615 of the Penal Code.
The particular protest that had led to the additional disorderly conduct charges against Abdul Raheem were held in opposition to the charges previously levied against Abdul Raheem for his role in the GA. Vodamulaa chapter of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations (MMPRC) corruption scandal. Specifically, Abdul Raheem is charged with embezzling USD one million from the acquisition cost of GA. Vodamulaa into his personal account, which were funds initially meant for the state.
On 28 November 2019, former President Yameen was charged in the same case, with the Criminal Court sentencing him to five years in prison in addition to levying a fine of MVR five million against him.
In addition to the disorderly conduct charges being raised against him, many note that Abdul Raheem has been exhibiting a proclivity for foul language during his appearances at protests and opposition press briefings in recent months. On 26 September 2020, Abdul Raheem went on live TV where he used profane language against sitting President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Abdul Raheem, who is currently very active in the protests and other efforts being conducted to free Yameen, was previously arrested for his role in the protests, but has since been released.
