Arrested MPs released from custody

Kulhuduffushi Magistrate Court has ordered all but two of the individuals arrested in Haa Dhaalu Hondaidhoo on being found drunk and with liquor and substance suspected to be narcotics, including the two Members of Parliament.

Those whose detention has been extended by the Court are Hamdhaan Zakee, G. Hilihilaage, Malé, and Jaadullah Jameel, Reef Side, Seenu Hulhudhoo.

Sub Inspector Hassan Haneef, Police Media Official, told that all the others except Hamdhaan and Jaadullah have been released as per the Court Order. Hamdhaan and Jaadullah would be kept in detention for investigation for a period of 5 days, as prescribed by the Court.

Released individuals are MP for Kaashidhoo Constituency Abdullah Jabir, MP for Henveiru Dhekunu Constituency Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, former President Nasheed’s Press Secretary Mahomet Zuhair and his wife Mariyam Faaiz, and three foreign nationals.

Of the three foreigners, two are from Sri Lanka, and one is from Bangladesh.

The Police have submitted a letter to the Administration of the People’s Majlis stating that MPs Hamid and Jabir had refused to give urine for routine examination purposes when requested by police officers during their custody. According to the laws, anyone arrested on suspicion of consuming alcohol or narcotic substances must go through this examination, and refusal is a punishable offence. Section 123(a) of the Drug Act states that if a police officer requests under Section 161(a) for a urine test from a person suspected of abuse of intoxicants or illegal substances, the request must be complied with. Section 161(b) prescribes a punishment of one year in jail for refusal to comply.

MP Hamid had refused to cooperate with a Police request for urine tests earlier, when he was arrested months back for unlawful disobedience of police orders during a violent riot. The case has been sent to the prosecution, but is yet to be filed at the Court.