Police enter Qasim’s residence, office with search warrant

Police have entered the Qasim’s private residence, Maafannu Villa, and the main headquarters of his business, Villa Group, with search warrants.

Authorities are searching the two buildings - Qasim's private residence M. Maafannu Villa in Male’ City and Villa Group headquarters in M. Villa Building in Male' City - for evidence related to the bribery and coup allegations against him.

The search warrant for Villa headquarter was signed by Criminal Court judge Abdul Baaree Yoosuf, and reads evidence related to the suspected cases of bribery of parliamentarians, conspiracy to stage a coup, create strife within security forces and create unrest in the country is suspected of being hidden within the building.

Qasim came out after the police left his residence and told the crowd gathered outside to go home and that police should be allowed the opportunity to conduct the search operation.

Qasim’s lawyer, Hisaan Hussain said police found no evidence related to the case from his residence.