The High Court of Maldives has nullified the jail sentence issued by Criminal Court of Maldives for Leader of Jumhooree Party Qasim Ibrahim. The Criminal Court sentence was unanimously nullified by High Court by a bench of three judges.
The parliamentarian and prominent businessman was sentenced in prison for 3 years, 2 months and 12 days for charges of bribery. Qasim was convicted after being found guilty of attempting to bribe parliamentarians.
The High Court, in its verdict, nullifying the Criminal Court sentence stated some rights of Qasim were violated during the hearings, adding the judges believe the court verdict was released against the procedures.
Before High Court’s verdict, Qasim was released on bail, prompting him to return back to Maldives after spending time in Germany in Asylum.