Sentencing postponed for convicted Raajje TV journalists
The criminal court found two journalists from the opposition-aligned Raajje TV guilty today on controversial charges of obstructing police duty. However, in an unusual move, the sentencing has been postponed to January 24.
19 Dec 2016, 9:00 AM
Two journalists from the opposition-aligned Raajje TV have been found guilty on controversial charges of obstructing police duty.
However, at a closed hearing Monday afternoon, Judge Ahmed Shakeel postponed the sentencing to January 24. The judge previously announced that verdicts will be delivered on December 19.
Mohamed Wisam and Leevan Ali Nasir are the first journalists to be convicted in more than a decade.
At today’s hearing, the state prosecutor asked for a jail sentence of four months and 24 days. But defence lawyer Abdulla Haseen reiterated that the prosecution was unable to prove the charges. He also appealed for the judge to impose an MVR12,000 (US$778) fine in lieu of imprisonment.
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