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Disqualified MP Waheed's remand extended

Disqualified Thulusdhoo lawmaker Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim on Sunday was ordered with an extra four days in remand.

MP Waheed was disqualified by the elections commission citing the recent Supreme Court ruling on anti-defection after the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) had formally dismissed the Thulusdhoo lawmaker from the party.

Waheed was summoned to the Criminal Court on Sunday where he was slapped with another four days of remand. In addition to the increase in his remand period, Criminal Court had also ordered the Prosecutor General's office to expedite filing formal charges against the lawmaker.

The Thulusdhoo MP has been accused of trespassing over attempting to enter the premises of People's Majlis - the local lawmaking house - despite him being disqualified.

In addition to Waheed, Madduvari MP Mohamed Ameeth and Villigili MP Saud Hussain also remain in remand custody over the same allegations. Additionally MP Saud has been charged in alleged plot to assassinate an appellate court judge.

MP Waheed was initially granted a remand duration of 15 days over his case - while simultaneously a case filed by the lawmaker over the legitimacy of his removal from parliamentary seat is currently ongoing at Supreme Court.

The top court has ended hearings of the challenge on Sunday and a ruling is expected this week.