MP Jabir sentenced to one year in prison

Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir has been sentenced to one year in prison for refusing to provide a urine sample in the island of Haa Dhaalu Hondaidhoo in November 2012.

Criminal Court said in its ruling that several witnesses had testified in court that, in Hondaidhoo on 19 November 2012, Jabir refused to comply with police officers’ order to provide a urine sample after officers suspected he was intoxicated.

The court said that Jabir had accused the police of using excessive force against him in Hondaidhoo, however, no evidence strong enough to prove this claim was presented in court.

The court also referred to Jabir’s claim that the police did not follow due procedure in requesting a urine sample, however, the documents presented by the State as evidence proved that due procedure was followed by police in making the request.

Jabir would not lose his seat in parliament despite this one year prison sentence. He can also contest the upcoming parliamentary election.

Article 73 (c) of the Constitution states that an MP shall be disqualified if he is convicted of a criminal offence and given a sentence of more than twelve months.