Disqualitifation case against MP Thasmeen scheduled for Wednesday

A case questioning the legitimacy of Kendhoo MP and former Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali’s seat in parliament has been scheduled in Supreme Court for Wednesday, 29 January.

The plaintiff, lawyer Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim said the case argues that Thasmeen should be barred under Article 73 (c) of the constitution, which states that a MP will be immdeiately disqualified if he has a decreed debt, which is not being paid as provided in the judgment.

Lawyer Waheed said that on 21 April 2011, Civil Court ordered Thasmeen to pay the court MVR 9.1 million after being found guilty of defaulting on payments to a loan of the same amount to Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim.

On 23 April 2013, High Court ruled Thasmeen to pay MVR 1.9 million MP Nazim, the amount outstanding from a MVR 2.55 million loan. In early July, Civil Court declared that Thasmeen Ali had cleared his outstanding debt of MVR 1.9 million.

A similar case filed against Thasmeen by former Thimarafushi MP Mohamed Mustafa in July last year, was rejected by the Supreme Court.