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Jumhoory Party leader urges humility after court revokes conditions

Fathmath Shaahunaz
18 May 2017, MVT 12:30
Jumhoory Party leader Qasim Ibrahim gestures as he speaks at an opposition rally for the first time after his release from prison. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED/MIHAARU
Fathmath Shaahunaz
18 May 2017, MVT 12:30

The Criminal Court on Wednesday lifted the strict conditions it placed on Jumhoory Party leader Qasim Ibrahim after which the latter advised joint opposition parties to maintain humility in the face of their victory in the recent Local Council Elections.

The Criminal Court nullified the seven conditions, which were placed on Qasim Ibrahim last week Wednesday in exchange for his release from police custody, in response to a letter from Maldives Police Service.

During the hearing last Wednesday, Police had stated that they did not forward to the Prosecutor General their latest allegations against Qasim Ibrahim, which accuse him of influencing lawmakers to win votes for a motion of no confidence being prepared against Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh. However, it later surfaced that Police had sent the case to the PG Office the day before and that the Office had returned the case on the day of Qasim’s hearing, claiming that a lawsuit cannot be filed as Police did not provide enough evidence.

The issue had sparked outcry from Qasim Ibrahim’s legal team, which accused the police of committing perjury and requested the Criminal Court to lift the conditions placed on their client.

The Criminal Court terminated the conditions this week Wednesday in an official notice to Qasim Ibrahim. In the notice, the court disclosed that Police have filed a letter claiming that their statements during last week’s court hearing were misinformed due to a miscommunication within the institute. Thus, Police expressed their deepest apologies and sought forgiveness from Qasim Ibrahim, said the Criminal Court in its notice.

“One mistake can change the situation”

Supporters greet Jumhoory Party leader Qasim Ibrahim as he attends an opposition rally for the first time after his release from prison. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED/MIHAARU

The opposition coalition held a rally to celebrate Qasim’s freedom and court lifting the conditions late Wednesday, where opposition leaders gave him a warm welcome. Speaking publicly for the first time since his release, Qasim Ibrahim called on the opposition to remain humble and modest in the face of their major victory in the Local Council Elections, warning that even one mistake from the opposition can turn the tables on the current political situation.

Declaring that government candidates won relatively few seats on local councils compared to the total of opposition and independent candidates, Qasim nonetheless advised the joint opposition to express gratitude to God and maintain humility.

“The situation today has changed. It may change again due to a single mistake we make. And so I urge you not to be arrogant over the elections victory,” he said.

Qasim described the Local Council Election’s results as a testimony to the evolution of people’s ideology, and their stand against tyranny and oppression.

The lawmaker of Maamigili constituency also censured the government over the sudden curtailing of the national healthcare scheme that was announced amidst the ballot counting of the local elections. Referring to how the government had overturned the announcement the following morning, assuring the national healthcare system to both public and private sectors again, Qasim reminded President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom that he had initially supported the president’s rise to power and called on the government to refrain from “such senseless nonsense.”

Moreover, the lawmaker referred to the motion of no confidence being sought by the opposition against Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh. He asserted that opposition lawmakers are working within the Constitution to bring about reform to the country and that their actions cannot be framed otherwise.

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