Qasim remanded by 6 days

Criminal Court has remanded the Leader of the Jumhooree Party, Qasim Ibrahim who was arrested last night, by six days to detain him at a location designated by the Home Ministry.

With his remand for six days, Qasim, who is also the MP for Maamigili constituency, is going to miss the Parliament sitting with the no confidence vote against the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Riko Moosa Manik.

Qasim cannot take part in the sitting since the Supreme Court has revoked the Article which says that MPs detained under investigation has to be brought to the sitting.

Police said that that Qasim was arrested in suspicion of bribing MPs in the no confidence vote against the Speaker of the Parliament, Abdulla Maseeh, and in suspicion of attempting to influence the no confidence motion pending against the Deputy Speaker.

The reasons for the arrest in the court order signed by the Criminal Court Judge, Abdul Baree Yoosuf also include suspicion of working to influence security forces of the state and working outside the law to overthrow the constitutional government formed in the country aside from influencing and hiding evidence.

Qasim was summoned to the Criminal Court for the remand hearing around 4:45 p.m. and he was taken back to Dhoonidhoo around 5:30.

Police closed of a number of roads near the Criminal Court before the JP Leader was brought in for his remand hearing.

Even with the roads closed, a number of people gathered in the area and protested against the government. MPs of the opposition parties and opposition leaders were among the people that gathered in the area.

Following the arrest of the JP Leader, MDP and JP has decided to take direct action against the government. And so the opposition supporters gathered at Maafannu Kunooz last night protesting against the government and police impeded the rally.