Jumhoory Party leader Qasim Ibrahim gestures to supporters at an opposition rally. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED/MIHAARU
The Criminal Court on Thursday declined to issue a remand for Jumhoory Party’s leader Qasim Ibrahim until the end of his trials.
In the first hearing of Qasim’s three-charge trials that began Thursday behind closed doors, the state requested a court order to remand Qasim until the end of his hearings. After statements from the prosecution and defence, Judge Adam Arif ruled that there was no call to keep Qasim under custody.
The famous local tycoon and lawmaker of Maamigili constituency is charged with attempted bribery, coercion with regards to official duties and undue influence on voters.
Qasim denied all three charges in Thursday’s hearing.
His lawyer and lawmaker of Thulusdhooo constituency Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim told Mihaaru that the judge provided equal chances for both the prosecution and defence to make their cases and the final verdict was just and fair.
“We saw an independent and very just trial today. We rejoiced to see the Constitution being upheld,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Court also declined to issue a remand until the end of the trials of Jumhoory Party’s deputy leader, Abdulla Riyaz, who is charged with obstructing an officer of law enforcement.