Judge: Charge against Fiyaz legally questionable

Judge Adam Arif – who is overseeing the case against RajjeTV CEO Hussein Fiyaz Moosa - said on Monday that the state’s charge against Fiyaz for allegedly hitting a police officer was legally questionable.

State has charged Fiyaz with “hitting”.

Judge Arif questioned state prosecutors on Monday’s hearing; asking whether it was legally sound to charge Fiyaz with “hitting” and then rank the offense under Penal Code Article 120 (b) – as the state prosecutors had done. And asked the reason why they had done so.

The prosecutors conceded that they needed to ensure some things when they rank the charge of “hitting” under Penal Code Article 120 (b). And requested for more time – which was granted by Judge Arif.

Judge Arif said that state prosecutors would be allowed to read the charge against Fiyaz only after they addressed the questions regarding the charge.

The hearing ended without announcing a date for the next hearing.

The charge against Fiyaz carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison.

Penal Code, Article 120 – Hitting - defines touching another person or hurting another person without his/her consent, or threatening immediate violence against another person as a criminal offense.

Fiyaz was arrested and imprisoned while covering news of the explosive that was found near Muliaage and transported to Athletic Track to diffuse it. It is believed that he has been charged over that incident.

State has also pressed charges against two RajjeTV journalists – Wisam and Leevan, as well as RajjeTV video journalist Zareer for obstruction of justice.