Ex-lawmaker appeals losing seat in 1982

Former N. Atoll representative at People’s Majlis, Hussein Adam has appealed the Civil Court verdict that he will not be allowed compensation for the loss suffered when he lost his seat at the Majlis, being unable to attend any sittings due to his arrest back in 1982.

Hussein Adam had submitted the lawsuit to Civil Court claiming he was removed from his seat at the Majlis unlawfully – having been unable to attend any sittings during the 7 months he was kept imprisoned.

He asked for MVR 19 million in compensation.

It was Majlis regulation at the time to remove any lawmaker who fails to attend sittings during two sessions without any notice to the Speaker of the Majlis.

Hussein Adam said that his, had been a political arrest, made by the Minister of Defense by the President at the time.

Hussein Adam has appealed the case with High Court after losing at the Civil Court.

During the first hearing in the case held at High Court this Sunday, the judge questioned why there had been such a delay in him filing the case, to which Hussein Adam replied that he had not been able to get any document pertaining his arrest.

He said that police informed him there was no documentation of his arrest, though he had been kept in captivity for 7 months and 17 days.

The state prosecutor said that Hussein Adam and any of his family members had failed to inform People’s Majlis of his arrest. And questioned how he had come up with the MVR 19 million he had asked as compensation.

Hussein Adam was questioned how much he had been receiving as salary from the People’s Majlis at the time, and how much time he had, had left remaining in his term.

The hearing ended with judge asking the prosecution to clarify if Hussein Adam had received the salary and amenities he was due, up until he was removed from the seat.