Adhaalath Party President Sheikh Imran Abdullah, who is facing terror charges for his role in the May Day protests, has been shifted to house arrest for the duration of his trial.
Criminal Court passed this judgment after Sheikh Imran’s lawyers filed for an appeal on the initial ruling announced by Criminal Court. Criminal Court had previously decreed that Sheikh Imran should be kept in detention in any location Home Ministry deemed appropriate.
State filed terror charges on Sheikh Imran, alleging that he had spoken in a manner that encouraged violence during the May Day protests. Sheikh Imran has denied the allegations. He had been serving his sentence in Dhoonidhoo jail and then transferred to Maafushi jail on the 23rd July.
The sessions of Criminal Court has been on halt. Additionally, two of the three judges serving on the panel had been transferred to High Court.
Many have voiced concern over the manner of his detention, stating that detaining one without verdict and the duration of the detention was a new precedent. Some police officers have reported that Sheikh Imran had spent most of his nights in prayers. Sheikh Imran had previously said that his faith lies with God and that a lengthy detention was just another opportunity to get closer to prayers.
Sheikh Imran shifted to house arrest
