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Gayoom’s lawmaker son denies charges over PPM logo misuse

Deposed ruling party leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s lawmaker son Faris Maumoon on Monday denied the charges against him over the alleged misuse of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) logo and flag.

Despite prosecutors offering a plea bargain, the Dhiggaru MP had denied the charges during the preliminary hearing on Monday.

The defence had requested for the evidence list, noting that the new criminal procedure code allows defendants access to list of evidence and witnesses. to conceal evidence from his client. However, prosecutors have refused to disclose the witness list as it contains two secret witnesses.

Presiding Judge Ibrahim Ali had scheduled the trial for July 23.

The Dhiggaru MP has been summoned by the police numerous times over the past couple of months for questioning over bribery allegations. The police had alleged that he attempted to bribe lawmakers ahead of the censure motion against the parliament speaker Abdullah Maseeh on March 27 noting that the authority had enough evidence against the lawmaker. The investigation is still ongoing.