Second verdict against Maloof to be issued “very soon”

The judge presiding over the second case against MP Ahmed Mahloof for obstructing police from performing their duty said during the hearing held on Tuesday that the verdict would be issued “very soon”.

Mahloof was sentenced to 4-months and 24-days in prison in the first case last Monday.

The second case against him is for allegedly pushing through police barricades placed on Boduthakurufaanu Magu and Mohamed Ismail Didi Goalhi during wide spread opposition protests on the night of March 25.

A police officer testified on behalf of the state prosecution that he saw Mahloof pushing through barricades, while two other officers testified that they heard the first officer saying Mahloof had pushed through the barricades over their walkie-talkies.

The judge made the decision last Monday not to allow for witnesses in defense.

The hearing held this Tuesday will be last hearing in the case before a verdict is announced.

He was escorted into the court by prison guards with his hands shackled, and a lot of Special Operations police officers operating on the scene to maintain security.