Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed concern over the verdict issued on Galolhu South Constituency MP Ahmed Mahloof.
A statement released by the Party stated that Mahloof’s sentence of four months and 24 days was issued by a “heavily intimidated and politically compromised Criminal Court” and that the verdict was widely known hour before hand, widely discussed on various social media platforms.
The statement noted the Court had move to strike the witness statements given by the defense in issuing a verdict. It also said the statements given by the state’s witnesses had conflicted with each other and that there were no substantial proof to declare Mahloof guilty of the charges.
“The law grants room for mercy if it is a first time offense. Ahmed Mahloof had been sentenced to many months in jail without taking this into account and the option to penalize him. Additionally, holding the session in secret also adds to the injustice,” it said.
MDP statement said that it was highly unlikely that MP Mahloof would attempt to flee in a public, in the presence of media and members of public.
