Faris Maumoon convicted of identity fraud

Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon was Wednesday night sentenced to four months and 24 days in prison after being found guilty of identity fraud.

The son of jailed ex-president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was accused of unlawfully using the flag and logo of the Progressive Party of Maldives after his expulsion from it.

Closing defence arguments stressed that Faris was a member of the PPM when he used the party’s flag and logo at an opposition press conference.

Lawyers also argued that the testimonies of state witnesses were inconsistent. Some 47 defence witnesses were presented, but only five were allowed to testify.

At Wednesday’s hearing, Faris reiterated his concerns over the “unfair trial.”

“Is there any justice here?” he asked Judge Ibrahim Ali.

His lawyers previously objected to giving anonymity to state witnesses and slammed the Prosecutor General’s office for violating the criminal procedures law.

Faris is also on trial for separate charges of bribery and terrorism and has been in detention for the past 10 months. He has denied all the charges against him

His father, who ruled the Maldives for three decades, has been jailed for obstruction of justice and handed a 19-month prison sentence. Gayoom is the half-brother of President Abdulla Yameen.

Faris’ sisters Dunya and Yumna have both resigned as ministers from Yameen’s cabinet.

However, his brother Ghassan Maumoon remains a state minister at the President’s Office. He has not spoken publicly or been seen with other family members and supporters who gathered outside the courthouse for Gayoom’s trial dates.