Zaidhul Ameen to appeal being taken back to jail

Male’ City councilman Zaidhul Ameen’s attorney says he will be appealing Criminal Court order to transfer him from house arrest back to police detention.

Attorney Mahfooz Saeed spoke to “Sun” and said that he was working on filing for appeal as there was no pressing need to hold Zaidul Ameen in police detention.

Criminal Court issued the order on Wednesday to transfer him back to police detention for the period 13 days for “safety and protection of society.”

It’s the fourth extension to his remand period since he was arrested on January 13 for blackmail.

Zaidul Ameen issued a statement on Wednesday after he was transferred back to police detention. He said that despite being suspected of blackmail, the police had not been able to say who his alleged victim was and had not found any evidence to support the suspicion from his mobile phone or laptop.

He was a member of the faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) aligned with former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom before he was kicked out.