Qasim arrested again

Leader of Jumhooree Party (JP) and MP for Maamigili constituency, Qasim Ibrahim has been arrested again.

Media official of the police said that although the cause of the arrest was released with the initial arrest, this time, the information cannot be released this time. The official said that Qasim was arrested in relation to an ongoing investigation.

JP Spokesperson, Ali Solih said that police entered the residence of the JP Leader around 12 a.m. and arrested him under a court order and took him to Dhoonidhoo.

He said that no one was allowed to see the court order so it is unclear why exactly he was arrested.

A member of Qasim’s legal team, Hisaan Hussain told Sun Media that at the time of the arrest, Qasim’s lawyers were not allowed to ask why their client was being arrested.

“When we lawyers went to the police after Qasim was arrested, we weren’t allowed in. the roads in the area were closed. Police said that (we) can’t enter the area. This was done in violation of the constitution.” Hisaan said.

Qasim was initially arrested on 6 April 2017 under a court order but he was released after the High Court ordered the release.

The High Court said that when it comes to arresting a member of the parliament, it should be the prosecutor general asking for an arrest warrant according to the law of immunity for parliament members. But since Qasim’s arrest was requested by the police, it is in violation of the law and ruled the court order to arrest to arrest Qasim to be null and void.

The JP Leader was arrested in suspicion of bribing in relation to the no confidence vote against the Speaker of the Parliament, Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, and the pending no confidence motion against the Deputy Speaker, Riko Moosa Manik.

He was charged with attempted bribery, using influence in executing responsibilities of an official position and attempting to influence a voter.

Qasim’s lawyers say that there is no evidence against their client aside from the recording of a speech he gave at Maafannu Kunooz.

Police entered Qasim’s private residence, Maafannu Villa, and the main headquarters of his business, Villa Group, on 16 April 2017 with search warrants earlier today searching for evidence related to the bribery and allegations of a coup.