Committee decides parliament should intervene in MP Hamid

Parliament Privileges Committee has decided to intervene in Henveyru-south MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor’s appeal of the six-month prison sentenced, levied upon him on 31 October by the Criminal Court for contempt of court over failing to attend refusal to provide urine sample charges.

The decision to intervene in MP Hamid’s High Court appeal case was made at a Parliament Privileges committee meeting yesterday. However, whether to go ahead with the committee decision will be debated and subjected to vote by the parliament floor.

The motion to intervene was presented to the committee by opposition member Maafannu-north MP Imthiyaz Fahumy. The motion was supported by Kulhudhuffushi-north MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa and passed unanimously.

High Court concluded MP Hamid’s appeal hearings two days ago and said a date for the verdict will be announced soon.

MP Hamid was sentenced to 6 months in prison after he refused to attend court to answer charges of refusing to provide urine samples to the authorities over his arrest from Haa Dhaalu Hondaidhoo in November 2012. He was arrested on suspicion of drinking and using cannabis.

Sentencing MP Hamid in absentia, Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed said MP Hamid had refused to attend court after accepting summons on two different occasions. Judge Abdulla Mohamed also said that attempts to bring MP Hamid to court though the State authorities had failed.

On 19 November, Hamid exited the parliament house after a four-week refuge from authorities in fear of arrest to be produced before the court.