Vilufushi MDP candidate sentenced to 6 months of house arrest

President of Vilufushi Council and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate for the upcoming local council elections, Hussain Jabeen has been sentenced to six months of house arrest.

Jabeen was sentenced by Vilufushi Court this Thursday after he was found guilty of the disobedience.

State prosecuted Jabeen for disobedience after he removed two iron rods placed at Maldives Road Development Corporation (MRDC) Vilufushi site to level the road and threw them away at approximately 12:15 pm on April 20, 2015.

Vilufushi Court found Jabeen guilty of the offense based on testimony from State witnesses.

Local Council Elections Act dictates that anyone serving a sentence for a criminal offense cannot compete in the local council elections.

Jabeen’s candidacy has therefore been cancelled.

Three MDP candidates and three ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidates had been competing for the three seats at the Vilufushi Council. The sentence on Jabeen therefore leaves two MDP candidates and three PPM candidates competing for the seats; guaranteeing a seat to one PPM candidate.