Police informs court of failure to produce MP Hamid to hearing

Maldives Police Service has informed the Criminal Court that they are unable to produce MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor before the court today as ordered because the MP still remains in refuge inside the parliament building.

Criminal Court today cancelled a hearing for the MP Hamid’s case scheduled for 9:00 a.m., for charges taken up against the MP for refusing to provide urine samples to the authorities over his arrest from Haa Dhaalu Hondaidhoo in November last year.

Police on Sunday wrote to the Speaker of the Parliament explaining that they have been asked to produce MP Hamid before the court and requesting the Speaker to arrange for the MP to attend today’s hearing.

Police said the parliament replied that the Criminal Court summon served on MP Hamid breaches MP privileges and contravenes with the Article 11 of the Parliamentary Privileges Act which states an MP cannot be summoned to court if it coincides with a parliament session or committee sitting.

The next hearing for MP Hamid’s case will hear witnesses against the defendant.