Ahmed "Shumba Gong" Ashraf, a social media activist and close ally of convicted former Vice President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor, was shifted to house arrest on Wednesday after one year in jail.
He is charged with threatening the life of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s former council member Zahid Rameez through phone calls and social media several times.
Mihaaru understands that the change was made by order of the judge presiding over Ashraf's trials.
His trial recommenced after a hiatus of over one year last Monday. However, the hearing was cancelled after prosecutors failed to present witnesses, and a new date has not been announced for the next hearing.
Ashraf's last hearing was conducted in March 2016.
His family has also raised concerns over the delayed trial.
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