Sheikh Imran sentenced to 12 years in prison
Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla has been found guilty of terrorism and sentenced to 12 years in prison.Imran was accused of inciting violence at a historic 20,000-strong anti-government demonstration on May 1 last year. He was charged under article two of the 1990 Anti-Terrorism Act, which states that promoting fear amongst the public or causing destruction of property are acts of terrorism.
16 Feb 2016, 9:00 AM
Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla has been found guilty of terrorism by the criminal court and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Delivering the verdict tonight, Judge Abdul Bari Yousuf said Imran incited violence against the government in his speech at the 20,000-strong protest march on May 1 last year and “struck fear in the hearts of the people”.
Imran’s breach of the freedom of assembly law as president of the Adhaalath Party – officially the principal organiser of the mass rally – coupled with encouraging violence constitutes an act of terrorism, the judge said.
His conviction marks the first terrorism sentence passed in the Maldives over a speech made at a political gathering.
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