Sheikh Imran sentenced to 12 years in prison

President of Adhaalath Party, Sheikh Imran Abdulla has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Criminal Court after being convicted of terrorism.

Sheikh Imran was charged with terrorism with State prosecutors alleging that Imran’s speech during protest on 1 May, 2015 had instigated violence.

At the sentencing hearing tonight, Judge Abdul Bari said that it was the result of Imran’s speech on 1 May 2015 that led to the line of Police officers being run through by a pickup truck and the brutal attack on a Police officer that took place on Chaandhanee Magu along with all the vandalism that took place on that day.

The President of Adhaalath Party, Sheikh Imran was convicted under Article 6-B of the 10/90 Anti-Terrorism Law.

Points made at the trial:

• Sheikh Imran’s Party, Adhaalath Party leading the conflict at the protest rally.

• Negligence of Sheikh Imran and Adhaalath Party stop the violence.

• The speech of Sheikh Imran creating fear among the public.

• Sheikh Imran’s speech instigated the violence that led to the pickup truck being driven through the Police line.

• Attacking a Police officer after being empowered by Sheikh Imran’s words.

• Vandalizing the private property after being empowered by Sheikh Imran’s words.

The state provided a total of 16 articles as evidence against the President of Adhaalath Party. Some of the video evidence was shown throughout the trial. Although material witnesses were also presented against the Sheikh, no witnesses were mentioned during the sentencing.

After passing the sentence, Judge Abdul Bari said to make an appeal if the defendant is “not happy with the sentence.”

A number of people were charged following the May-Day protest rally of 2015. So far, only the trial of Sheikh Imran has been completed.