During the appeal hearing of Gayoom’s lawmaker son and Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon’s remand, the lawmaker stated that the allegations were made against him in the wake of backing the opposition led censure motion to unseat parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh.
During the appeal hearing which took place behind closed doors on Wednesday, the Dhiggaru MP was asked if he was afforded all constitutional rights by the authorities. Faris’ lawyer Maumoon Hameed cited the lawmaker and revealed he stated that the allegations were made against him after he signed the opposition led motion to unseat the parliament speaker.
Faris further highlighted that he signed the censure motion to perform his duty as a representative of the people as he believes it to be in their best interest.
The Dhiggaru MP also noted that he was arrested after backing the opposition led motion in efforts to intimidate members of the parliament, expressing concern over his unlawful arrest and remand.
Faris was taken into custody 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.
Meanwhile MP Faris is also on trial for impersonation charges for misusing the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) logo and flag.
