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May Day detainee released after High Court rules conviction 'false'

Ahmed Aiham
12 November 2018, MVT 19:57
Central road 'Majeedheemagu' of Male' filled with Protestants during the opposition-led rally on Labour Day, May 1st, 2015. PHOTO: AHMED ABDULLAH SAEED/MIHAARU
Ahmed Aiham
12 November 2018, MVT 19:57

Ibrahim Ibadh, a detainee convicted following the major opposition 'May Day' rally held in 2015, was released on Monday after the High Court found him wrongfully convicted.

Charged of aiding and abetting assault using a dangerous weapon, Ibadh was sentenced to six years in prison for assaulting a police officer by grabbing his baton and striking him with it.

According to his lawyer Nazim Abdul Sattar, the High Court annulled Ibadh's sentencing due to false charges that were brought forth by the Criminal Court accusing Ibadh of using a sharp object.

A man named Ibrahim Rasheed was convicted along with Ibadh over the same charges of aiding and abetting assault. Ibrahim had used a cone and helmet to beat the officer.

Over 200 participants were arrested in what was the largest protest ever held in the Maldives, thus far.

Of those charged, only two remain in custody. Due to his deteriorating health, Ibrahim has been transferred to house arrest. Currently, only one person is carrying out their sentence in prison.

Adhaalath Party Leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla was arrested on May 1, 2015, for his speech during the MayDay protest, in which he declared that state corruption, brutality and civil unrest have been increasing. Sheikh Imran had a 12-year terrorism charge slapped on his freedom over the speech. However, the Supreme Court has since issued a temporary stay order on his sentence.

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