High Court upholds Zaid’s transfer to Police custody

High Court has ruled in favor of the Criminal Court decision to transfer the Malé City councilman for the mid-Henveiru constituency, Zaidul Ameen, who was arrested in suspicion of blackmail, into Police custody.

Aside from blackmail, the Councilman is also suspected of attempting to influence state officials, listening into private conversations and illegal acquisition and disclosure of information.

The Criminal Court ordered that Councilman Zaid be kept in the custody of the Maldives Police Service from February 22 to 7 March 2017 for the safety of the society.

The ruling from the High Court said that the chat logs on the Councilman’s phone contain videos and conversations related to the case. And a forensic report related to the case have been received, it contains evidence supporting the suspicions.

The ruling also said that the Councilman attempted to influence the witnesses in the case.

In his statement after being transferred into Police custody, Zaid said that while he is being accused of blackmail, the Police have failed to mention the victim of his blackmail and while his phone and laptop has been seized by the Police, there have been no evidence against him in them.

Malé City Councilor Zaidul Ameen is a member of the Maumoon Faction of PPM. He lost his position on the PPM Council after a disciplinary issue against him.