MDP MP Ghafoor jailed as Supreme Court annuls parliamentary immunities
30 Nov 2013, 9:45 AM
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has deplored the sudden jailing of its MP Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, despite promises of “leniency” from the government.
Ghafoor was sentenced in absentia to six months in prison for contempt of court, after failing to comply with police summons and evading authorities for almost a month by hiding in the parliament building.
Ghafoor contended that the court was deliberately scheduling hearings during critical votes and debates, violating the Parliamentary Privileges Act which requires MPs be allowed to be present during voting.
The Supreme Court on Thursday annulled several articles of the Privileges Act, declaring that this requirement was unconstitutional.
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