Parliament consults Chief Justice over MP Hamid

Speaker of the Parliament Abdulla Shahid has said in parliament session today that he has asked the Chief Justice for advice on how to deal with MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor's continued stay in parliament, seeking refuge from the courts.

Speaker Abdulla Shahid revealed this in response to a point of order called for by Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed. The Speaker also said he has been in discussion with senior officials of President Yameen’s government to seek a way to deal with MP Hamid’s situation.

“Speaker of the Parliament is discussing the matter with the senior most officials of the new government assembled yesterday, to find a solution,” Speaker Abdulla Shahid said.

With multiple court summons, MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor has refused to attend court and remains in the parliament in defiance of a case against him, over charges for refusing to provide urine samples to the authorities, following his arrest from Haa Dhaalu Hondaidhoo in November last year.

On 31 October, the Criminal Court sentenced MP Hamid in absentia to six months in prison, for contempt of court for accepting court summons and refusing to attend the hearings.

The Parliament Privileges Act allows a MPs to attend parliament sessions, even if the MP is serving a criminal sentence.

The Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation Services (DPRS) is mandates to execute the sentence once an individual is sentenced to prison.

Media official at the Criminal Court Ahmed Mohamed Manik earlier said the DPRS has informed the court that they have been unable to take MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor to custody, because the MP continues to seek refuge in parliament.