Criminal Court decides against Faris’ release

Criminal Court has made the decision not to release Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon from jail.

During Faris’ bribery trial hearing this Monday, his attorney, Maumoon Hameed raised a procedural issue, saying there was no reason why Faris should be kept detained.

Maumoon Hameed said that High Court had issued a ruling in August that offering a bribe wasn’t a major crime. And that the court said in its ruling that it the defendant was suspected of a minor crime, he or she should not be kept detained for more than 15 days.

Maumoon Hameed said that it has been 68 days since Faris’ detention, and that lower courts needed to follow rulings issued by superior courts.

The State prosecutor responded that the particular ruling was issued by High Court for one defendant – Ahmed Shafiu. She said that Shafiu was released because there was no evidence against him, and that the prosecution had made the decision to drop the charges against him.

The judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence against Faris, including testimony of anonymous witnesses. He said there was room to influence the witnesses if Faris was released from custody, and that the court therefore cannot grant his release.