Mahloof received the chit last night to be present at court at noon today. The chit detailed that he is being prosecuted on charges of stymieing the duties of the Police. Waheed also received a similar chit asking for his presence in court at the same time. In a text message forwarded by Mahloof, he revealed to the media that the chit had been sent to him three days earlier but was returned as he had been abroad at the time. While both MPs are being charged under Article 75 of the Police Act which is impeding the duty of a police officer, Waheed had refrained from commenting on the issue. However, Mahloof told Haveeru that his case was investigated during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration and that it indicated Nasheed’s efforts to impede the freedom of speech and expression. “This shows the level at which the freedom of speech and expression was available during Nasheed’s administration. In Nasheed’s Presidency, our protests will be dispersed before we reach the next block. I was jailed on 15 different occasions. I had to accommodate myself in the same cell as my father. This is the extent of freedom of expression,” Mahloof said. He said that if a crime was committed, he believes that he should be punished. He added that the current charges against him must be treated in the same manner. Prosecutor General’s (PG) office detailed that Mahloof and Ali Waheed are being charged for removing the police barricades near Muliaage on March 25, 2010 and obstructing police personnel. Both MPs are being charged under Article 75 of the Police Act which is impeding the duty of a police officer, official added. If found guilty both MPs could face a fine of not more than MVR12,000 and banishment for not more than six months as per Article 75 of the Police Act. Mahloof and Ali Waheed had been prosecuted for the same offence earlier. However, the charges were withdrawn by the PG to be fair for failing to charge some Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) activists for barging into the Civil Service Commission (CSC). The official further added that the case against the two MPs had been forwarded to the Criminal Court on July 16 for prosecution along with the case of forceful entry into CSC.