Maafaru Council President fined, loses council seat

Noonu Maafaru Council President Ahmed Shareef has been convicted of breaking through police lines at a protest held by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) against the delivery of the presidential address at the parliament on 1 March 2012, and fined MVR 3,000. He has thus also lost his council seat.

Other people convicted in this case and thus subjected to fines are Abdullah Usaid Abdul Hameed of Heenaamaage in Baa Eydhafushi, Ahmed Faheem of V. Fansi, Mohamed Naeem of Ma. Badifasgadukoshuge, Mohamed Ali Rasheed of Ma. Fortune, Nasrul Ameen of Ever Free in Seenu Hithadhoo, Mohamed Mihad of Narugis Villa in Kaafu Hura, Ali Riyaz of Kotharivilaage in Haa Alif Kelaa, and Mohamed Jaleel of Ma. Gajuraage.

The Criminal Court ruling states that it had been proven through witness testimonies that they pushed and banged on the shields held by the police and broke through police lines during the protest at the intersection of Alikilegefaanu Magu and Lilly Magu on 1 March 2012.

The nine convicts were ordered to pay the fine to Criminal Court within one month.

A Maafaru Council Member said that the council was not yet informed of this sentence against Council President Shareef.

In addition to the nine convicts, charges were also pressed against Ubaidhullah Saeed of Autumn Vaadhee in Haa Alif Dhidhdhoo, Ahmed Nazeer of Udha in Lhaviyani Naifaru, and Ahmed Aahidh of Janbumaage in Alif Dhaalu Dhan’gethi.

The court ruled that not enough evidence existed to prove the case against Ubaidhullah Saeed. It also said that the cases against Ahmed Nazeer and Ahmed Aahidh would be looked into separately.

Article 28 (c) of the Act on Decentralisation of the Administrative Divisions of the Maldives states that a person who contests for the post of island council member shall not be serving a sentence of a convicted criminal offence; while Article 119 states that council members must relinquish their membership if they lack any of the attributions required in a member as stipulated in the Act.