Faris: Can only provide cooperation for a legal investigation

Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon says he cannot cooperate with the police investigation into the bribery case against him as he was being kept detained in a place other than which was stated in the court order.

Speaking to press this Sunday, Faris’ lawyer Maumoon Hameed said the court order for his detention pending outcome of the trial stated that he be kept in a remand jail. Maumoon said that as per Prisons and Parole Act, remand jails were establishments run by Maldives Correctional Service.

Maumoon Hameed said that police had, instead, attempted to question Faris at Dhoonidhoo Prison this Sunday morning.

“Faris provided a statement to the police today, that he will provide his full cooperation to an investigation complaint with the law,” said Maumoon Hameed.

Faris – a key member of the opposition coalition - is accused of bribing fellow parliamentarians.

Faris was arrested on July 17 and taken to Dhoonidhoo Prison, from where he was transferred to Maafushi Prison.

He was arrested from his residence – Ma. Snow Rose – under court order.

Police have confiscated a number of items from his residence; including a pendrive, documents, and the hard disk of the building’s CCTV camera.