Ex-VP Jihad denied permission to travel to Dubai for medical care

The Criminal Court, on Thursday, decided against allowing former Vice President Abdulla Jihad, who has been charged with corruption, permission to travel to Dubai for medical care.

Jihad has been charged with using the influence of his position to obtain or confer an undue advantage in a manner which precludes an advantage to state where a benefit exists under Article 13 (b) of the Prevention and Prohibition of Corruption Act, for a decision he made regarding a project to develop K. Fushidhiggarufalhu as a special tourism zone in 2013, when he had been serving as Finance Minister.

He faces a five-year prison sentence if found guilty of the charge.

Criminal Court held a hearing on Thursday to make a decision regarding a motion presented by Jihad requesting permission to travel overseas for medical care.

The case is overseen by Judge Hussain Faiz Rashad. However, Thursday’s hearing was presided over by Judge Mohamed Sameer as he is currently on leave.

Speaking during Thursday’s hearing, Jihad’s attorney Hassan Falah detailed the medical condition Jihad suffers from, and said that he has taken out a ticket to travel to Dubai to seek medical care for the conditions.

Falah said that Jihad requires regular treatment for the various medical conditions which include insomnia, diabetes and frequent urination.

Falah also said stressed that Jihad is a state dignitary who has provided over 35 years of service, including as Vice President, Finance Minister, and Governor of Maldives Monetary Authority.

He also said that Jihad’s two children reside in Dubai for their education, one of whom is sick, and that it has been a long time since he had seen them last.

The State prosecution contested the motion, arguing that the charge against Jihad is a major felony and that there is grounds to believe he may attempt to flee to avoid a prison sentence. The prosecution also said that the Maldivian authorities will have no way of arresting and extraditing Jihad to Maldives if he does flee, given lack of an extradition agreement between Maldives and Dubai.

The prosecution also argued that the conditions for which Jihad has requested permission to travel to Dubai is also treatable in Maldives, and that Jihad has more opportunity to flee if granted permission to travel overseas given the contacts he has made during his time in senior state positions.

Speaking at the hearing, Jihad said that he wishes to travel to Dubai at this time as it will coincide with his children’s school holidays, and said that caring for one’s children is a duty prescribed under Islam.

To be updated….