MP Hamid summoned to court, ordered to answer charges

Criminal Court has summoned Henveyru-South MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor to answer for charges of possession of alcohol, in relation to his arrest from Haa Dhaalu Hondaidhoo in Novelmber last year.

Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir has also been charged possession of alcohol, along with Jadulla Jameel, the General Manger of Haa Alif Alidhoo Resort.

The State attorney told the court today that the charges against MP Hamid was based on the discover alcohol from his persons during a search of Haa Dhaalu Hondaidhoo.

The attorney said that, during the inspection of the island, police discovered three men inside a hut on the northern side of the island, and upon their approach approach, MP Hamid, who was sitting amongst them, had thrown away the mug that he was holding, which the police suspect to have contained alcohol. The attorney said that MP Jabir was also holding glass at the time of the police’s arrival at the hut.

The State prosecutor further revealed that the police promptly took hold of MP Jabir’s hand and placed the glass on the table, and that tests of the contents inside the glass had shown it positive for alcohol.

The attorney also said that three other glasses were discovered on the scene and that their contents had tested positive for the three brands of alcohol bottles discovered from the scene.

When given the chance to answer for his charges, MP Hamid said that prior to the hearing today he had not received details of the case, and that he wants appoint an attorney to proceed.

The Judge announced that the next hearing be held on Thursday and asked MP Hamid to arrange to lawyer to speak in his defence.

The Judge also said that all efforts to summon MP Jabir and Jadulla Jameel to answer to their charges have failed so fair and that the court might be forced to bring summon them in police custody, if all other efforts prove unsuccessful.

Scheduling the hearings, the Judge said that, granted the defendants attend court, he will allow them to present evidence in on the 12th of September, and present defence witnesses on the 26th of September.