The Criminal Court is to decide on Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim’s detention at a hearing on Wednesday.

The hearing where judges will decide whether or not Qasim, who is facing bribery allegations, should be further remanded until the trial is concluded, will be held at 1:30 pm. 

Officers arrested and detained Qasim Ibrahim on the night of 6th April on allegations of bribery, attempting to influence the conduct of a public official, and trying to sway a voter.

However, the High Court ruled that he be released citing violations of the Parliamentary Priviledges Act. 

The charges claim he had attempted to bribe parliamentarians in order to influence the vote of no-confidence against parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh in the opposition’s favour, and further trying to influence the conduct of other public officials and even law enforcement forces and further trying to sway public trust against the government, thus presenting a threat to public safety – the police’s arrest warrant claimed.

He was arrested again from his home on 20th April, and promptly taken to a holding cell in Dhoonidhoo island. 

The court order calling for his detainment the second time stated that he presented a credible threat to the investigation as he had the influence and resources to sway witnesses and in other ways obstruct proceedings.