Court postpones making a decision on Qasim’s remand
Hearings concluded, Court to make a decision later
Jumhooree Party Leader Qasim Ibrahim
High Court postpones making a decision on the Criminal Court’s ruling to detain Jumhooree Party Leader and Parliamentarian for Maamigili Constituency Qasim Ibrahim under Police custody.
This was revealed in the appeal hearings of the case conducted on Sunday.
Speaking to press after the hearings on Sunday, Qasim’s lawyer, Hisaan Hussain stated that they had raised four points as their defense. She noted that it was unacceptable that the Judge who had issued the arrest warrant was on the bench and had to make a decision on the validity of the warrant. The lawyers also note that Qasim was arrested in violation of the Privileges accorded to a Parliamentarian. Additionally, they note that it must be the PG that requests for an extension to the remand, since only the PG can request for an order to detain a Parliamentarian. They further note that no evidence was presented on the remand hearings and that the hearings were closed off to the public.
Hisaan stressed that it was not the PG Office that had requested for an extension to Qasim’s remand, but rather on request of Police. This, she said, was remarked by state lawyers as well.
No hearings have been scheduled yet.
Qasim was arrested on the 13th of this month just after midnight, on an order issued by Prosecutor General. Criminal Court on the following day had set a remand of 15 days.
