Qasim given until 8 pm to hire lawyer

Leader of Jumhoory Party, Qasim Ibrahim has been given until 8 pm this Tuesday to hire a lawyer to represent him in the bribery trial.

The newly assigned judge to the case – Judge Adam Areef announced during the hearing held at 11 am this Tuesday that he will continue the trial from where it was left off prior to change of the judge.

Judge Areef said the court has the authority to continue the trial without a defense attorney if Qasim failed to hire legal representation by 8 pm this Tuesday.

The trial was previously overseen by a bench of three judges. But the case was thrown out of court when State prosecutors failed to show up for a hearing.

The State re-filed the case with Criminal Court, with no changes to the original charges.

Qasim had asked for 10 days to hire legal representation during the hearing held this Tuesday,a request which was denied by Judge Areef who said the case had been ongoing, and that Qasim had a team of legal representatives to work on the case before it was dismissed.

He said the team of legal representatives continued to give interviews to media on behalf of

Qasim, asking that he be sent abroad for treatment due to his poor health.

Qasim appeared in poor health when he attended the hearing, and walked in and out of the courtroom with the support of his bodyguards.