Prosecutor General’s Office has decided not to charge Jumhooree Party Leader Qasim Ibrahim over allegations of attempting to sway a voter.
PG has sent the case back to Maldives Police Service (MPS), saying they are unable to prosecute Qasim over the allegations.
Lawyer Hisaan Hussain from Qasim’s legal team has confirmed to RaajjeMV that they have been informed of the PG’s decision.
Responding to lawyer Ahmed Shafeeg’s questions regarding the decision, the PG OPffice said, via writing, that they do not have enough evidence to prosecute the parliament representative for Maamigilli constituency.
The letter further noted that they had informed the police of their decision to not prosecute him on May 10.
It noted that it is unable to prosecute Qasim over allegations of attempting to sway lawmakers into signing a petition calling for a no-confidence motion against the parliament speaker and deputy speaker, following an amendment to the parliament procedures, stipulating that no-confidence motion against parliament speakers and their deputy can only be submitted with a minimum of 42 signatures.
In addition to bribing and influencing parliamentarians, Qasim has been accused of attempting to bribe security officials and members of the judiciary, creating conflict among the public, abetting to overthrow the government, and attempting to influence witnesses.
He was arrested on April 20, with the court ordering to keep him in remand until the hearings in the trial against him concludes. However, on May 10, Criminal Court ordered to release him, with seven stipulations applicable for a period of 60 days.
The court ruling states that Qasim is obliged to:
- Assist in the police investigation into the allegations against him
- To refrain from any acts that constitute witness tampering
- To not leave the borders of the capital city
- To not make remarks that hinders the dignity of the parliament, judiciary of government and those that are charged with presiding over these institutions
- To not express sentiments inciting discord
- To not meet or interact with individuals who hold sentiments inciting discord
- To ensure that any lands or property held by him are not used to spread sentiments inciting discord
