State: Qasim meant “help in every way” as bribe

The state has said that when Qasim said that he would “help in every way” if the MPs who left Jumhooree Party for PPM return to Jumhooree Party, he meant it as a bribe.

The remarks were made at the hearing today in the bribery case against the Leader of the Jumhooree Party, Qasim Ibrahim.

When the defense attorneys questioned who it was that Qasim tried to bribe, state prosecutor, Niuma Mohamed Waheed said that bribes can not only be offered to one person but to specific groups of people.

She said that looking at Qasim’s speech, it is clear that he offered the bribe to members of the parliament alone and is implied towards financial help. Prosecutor Niuma said that voting or not voting is a right of the MPs and Qasim requested to vote in a certain way.

The state said that Qasim is being charges not based on an opinion he expressed but based on the words he said.

Responding to the state, defense attorney, Noor al Salam asked a number of questions including how is helping illegal when it is something encouraged in Islam as well.

Lawyer Noor asked how Qasim’s speech contradicts the principles of Islam.

State prosecutor said that Qasim has admitted to the speech as mentioned by the state, to which Hisaan Hussain from Qasim’s legal team said that Qasim did not speak in the phrasing of the state but in the phrasing on the recording of the speech at the function.

Defense evidence was also presented at the hearing today including a CD which contains a video recordings of PPM MPs in their speeches to get votes in favor of the Speaker of the Parliament, Maseeh.

And to prove that accumulating support for a vote is in the laws of the United States aside from the opposition coalition agreement and the Jumhooree Party regulations, the defense submitted a law of the US.