Qasim pictured after his trial on Sunday Morning PHOTO:Hussain Waheed/Mihaaru
Lawyers of Jumhoory Party’s leader and lawmaker of Maamigili constituency, Qasim Ibrahim, proclaimed that whereas Qasim did speak about the no confidence motion against Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh in an opposition rally, he did not commit any bribery offence.
Three charges have been pressed upon Qasim in relation to the recent no confidence motion, including attempted bribery of lawmakers to gain votes to remove Speaker Maseeh from position. Responding to the chargers, lawyer Hisaan Hussain said that Qasim denies the charges and that he did not commit bribery.
Upon the judges and prosecution questioning the action denied and the reason, Hisaan said that it is upon the prosecution to prove the charges and further answers shall only be given once prosecution provides evidence.
Judges then asked whether Qasim had spoken during the specific rally mentioned in his charge and whether he had made such remarks. Hisaan replied that Qasim do not deny speaking at the rally, but the accusation can only be verified with a recording of it.
When Qasim was given the opportunity to answer, he replied that he does not wish to say anything and that his lawyers would speak on behalf of him.
In addition, upon request the defendant was given the opportunity to view the recording of the rally in which Qasim had spoken. Judges urged both sides to be well prepared for the next hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Meanwhile, Qasim’s lawyers pointed out some procedural issues, saying that the hearing should not be continued. The first issue was that certain documents and recording of Qasim’s remarks were not provided to Qasim’s lawyers. Prosecution responded saying that no documents or evidence is confidential and, hence, they can be shared with the defendant.
The second issue was that Qasim has been charged with the same offence in three different ways against the Constitution. However, the prosecution again responded that the Constitution only denies punishment twice for one offence, but it allows charges. They added that the issue shall be reviewed at a later stage when the defendant is found guilty.
Judges did not allow any further discussions on the case and allowed the trial to be continued.
Despite his ongoing trial, Qasim has been arrested again over the resubmission of a no confidence motion against Speaker Maseeh.
Qasim further said in court on Sunday that he doubts he will receive proper justice as a new bench of judges has been created to carry out the trial. Once the trial began, Qasim noted that his previous remand hearing was by Chief Judge Abdul Bari Yoosuf. Initially the trial was only conducted by one sitting Judge Adam Arif. However, from Sunday onwards, the case is being reviewed by a Judges bench which includes Chief Judge Abdul Bari Yoosuf, Judge Ahmed Shakeel and Judge Adam Arif.
Responding to Qasim’s comment, Chief Judge Bari replied that he respects Qasim’s opinion but he cannot allow any unnecessary comments within the court room.
Qasim did not comment on the issue any further.