Cannabis charges are unclear: MP Jabir

Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir has said that the charges regarding the use of cannabis pressed against him by the State are unclear.

Jabir said this when the State presented its claims against him at the trial in Criminal Court today.

Presenting the claims, the State Prosecutor said that Jabir was arrested by the police on suspicion of being intoxicated near a hut resembling a bar in the island of Haa Dhaalu Hondaidhoo at 4:30 a.m. on 17 November 2012.

She said that checks were made at the scene where Jabir was arrested, and the police discovered a joint which contained 0.1763 g cannabis on the ground, a joint which contained 0.8266 g cannabis near the bench where Jabir was sitting, and three joints which contained 1.9720 g cannabis on the ground near the same bench.

When asked to present his defence, Jabir said that he never used drugs, and that the meaning of ‘using drugs’ is unclear.

He then asked to be given 90 days to appoint an international-standard lawyer, to which the judge replied that the period for appointing lawyers stated in the procedure on criminal proceedings is three days.

The judge gave Jabir seven days to appoint a lawyer and prepare his defence.

Jabir said that he was subjected to brutal treatment by the police in Hondaidhoo, and that it cannot be justified to prosecute him based on statements provided by the police.

He said that the purpose of prosecuting him was to declare him disqualified as an MP, prior to imminent voting on no-confidence motions by the parliament.

The Criminal Court provided the relevant documents related to the case to Jabir.

If found guilty, Jabir will face a prison sentence of 15 years.