South-Galolhu MP Ahmed Mahloof on Monday has been handed a 4-month 24-day jail sentence on charges of obstructing policy duty.
The State’s charges said, on April 3 last year, the lawmaker refused orders to enter a police vehicle and attempted to flee after he was being taken to court for a remand hearing. The court ruling said witness testimonies proved that the lawmaker refused police orders and made an attempt to escape.
Testimonies from five police officers and that of two defence witnesses were heard during the trial. Law enforcement officers testified in court that the lawmaker refused orders and tried to escape, which however was refuted by the lawmaker’s defence witnesses.
The lawmaker would however not lose his Parliament seat following his conviction. The Constitution stipulates that a Parliament seat will be declared vacant when a sitting lawmaker receives a sentence of more than one year for a criminal offense.
MP Mahloof is also on trial on a separate charge of obstructing police. Closing arguments of the trial are scheduled for Tuesday (July 19).