Gasim sentenced in absentia to three years, stripped of seat
Judge Adam Arif delivered the verdict in absentia while the 67-year-old opposition lawmaker remained hospitalised after collapsing inside the courtroom Thursday afternoon.
25 Aug 2017, 9:00 AM
Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim has been found guilty of attempted bribery and sentenced to three years, two months and 12 days in prison in a verdict delivered at 1:30 am on Friday.
Judge Adam Arif delivered the verdict in absentia while the 67-year-old opposition lawmaker remained hospitalised after collapsing inside the courthouse Thursday afternoon.
Gasim was prosecuted for offering to grant tickets from the allied opposition parties and help with the re-election campaigns of MPs who vote to impeach the speaker of parliament. The purported bribery offer was made in a speech ahead of the opposition’s failed bid to remove the speaker on March 27.
The MP for Maamigili loses his seat with the bribery conviction as the constitution states that MPs who are jailed for more than one year will be disqualified. However, Gasim could retain his seat if the conviction is overturned upon appeal.
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