Gayoom’s MP son seeks stay on trial

Deposed ruling party leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s lawmaker son Faris Maumoon has requested for a stay order on his trial over impersonation charges.

The lawmaker has been charged with the misuse of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) logo and flag.

MP Faris had requested to adjourn the trial until court responded to his requests.

Faris had filed a writ of mandamus, requesting the prosecution to share evidence and resources to present his defence and response to the charges.

Gayoom’s lawmaker son had also requested for a writ of prohibition in order to cease the litigation. Faris had appealed to cancel the Criminal Court’s decision to prosecute him based on a civil standard. The Dhiggaru MP had requested that all pre-trial submissions were filed using a form prepared in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act.

Faris was taken into custody last week shortly after police searched his residence for evidence over an alleged attempt to buy-off and influence lawmakers to back the opposition led move to unseat the parliament speaker.

Court had remanded the eldest son of former president Gayoom until his sentence which came as a shock as the MP is yet to be charged and police are still investigating the case.

Faris was supposed to respond to the charges on Monday, but the defence had instead urged the court to allow the lawmaker his constitutional right to attend parliament.

The judge had allowed correctional service to take Faris to parliament after the prosecution refused to challenge the defence's request.

Correctional service officials however, had taken the MP back to prison in Maafushi island directly from the criminal court.

Faris 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 adding that there was enough evidence against the lawmaker.