Qasim’s trial: PPM manifesto and political speeches as evidence

Defense for Jumhooree Party Leader Qasim Ibrahim has raised ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) manifesto and speeches of political figures as evidence.

The parliamentarian faces bribery charges, attempting to influence the conduct of a public official, and trying to sway a voter.

In Monday’s hearing of the case, the defense had the opportunity to respond to the charges raised on Qasim on the 27th of last month.

The state had presented a video analysis report and the Police Officer who had prepared that report. In response to this, the defense had presented US law, to prove that lobbying was part and parcel of democratic nations and the electoral system. Additionally, they had also presented the pledges made by politicians, as well as speeches made by some political figures. The team had also presented the manifesto made by PPM for 2013 and a press conference by PPM, as well as the meeting minutes of the united opposition.

In the last meeting, prosecution noted that while Qasim was charged with bribery, as he had pledged all forms of 'support' in exchange, including a party ticket, for voting to oust Speaker Abdullah Maseeh. The prosecution said this can be perceived as an attempt at bribery.

The prosecution said that bribery can be offered not just to those in lower positions, but also to those in the same rankings. They further said that Qasim’s statements took out the option of choosing an option on the vote.

Prosecution asserted that Qasim was being charged not just for expressing opinions, but rather for attempting to coerce fellow parliamentarians to accept a bribe, which is strictly forbidden for MPs.

Responding to the charges, Qasim’s lawyer Noorusalaam Aboobakur, said that pledging was part of the democratic process and challenged the prosecution to prove that it was a crime. He also said that freedom of expression was granted to all, so long as it did not contravene Islamic principles. He questioned on when the freedom of expression had become a criminal offense.

Additionally, he said that pledging was a feature in all democracies and questioned on how it had become a criminal offense. Referring to a book written by a professor at Al-Azhar University, Noorusalaam said that attempting to bribe is not a crime, but rather the actual act was a crime.

Qasim’s lawyer, Hisaan Hussain added that the state’s lawyers had not been able to prove what financial benefits Qasim had offered to a civil employee. She said the prosecution had not been able to prove how Qasim’s proposed offer was a bribe and therefore the charges were baseless.

The Judges bench gave the prosecution time to respond to the points raised by the defense, prior to concluding the hearings for the day. However, the next date for the hearing had not been confirmed.