Jumhoory Party leader Qasim Ibrahim greets his supporters after being summoned to Police headquarters. PHOTO: NISHAN ALI/MIHAARU
The legal team of Jumhoory Party’s leader, Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim, on Monday filed a lawsuit at the Criminal Court and the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) over his arrest which they claim is illegal.
Qasim was arrested last Thursday night under a court order accusing him of bribing lawmakers to vote in favour of the recent motion of no confidence taken against the parliamentary speaker, and working to unlawfully overturn the government. The Criminal Court has added six days to his remand.
Lawyer Hisaan Hussain of Qasim’s legal team told Mihaaru that the lawmaker was arrested in violation of Subject 13 of the Parliamentary Privileges Act. The subject states that unless a lawmaker is found in the act of a criminal offence, he or she may only be arrested for a criminal charge by an order of a superior court or a court above it. Moreover, such a request may only be made by the Prosecutor General (PG) if a lawmaker’s arrest is required by any investigative forces.
However, the court order to arrest Qasim was issued upon the request of Maldives Police Service. Hisaan added that it was also the police that had requested the Criminal Court to remand Qasim for six days.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Court has thrown out the appeal submitted to overturn Qasim’s remand.