The Criminal Court of the Maldives has given former Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed a period of three days to appear at court for the trial of the sexual abuse charges pressed against him.
Ali Waheed fled to the UK in February citing a need for urgent medical treatment, while undergoing trial for sexually abusing and assaulting some employees of the tourism ministry. The Criminal Court had permitted him to leave the country under the condition that he returns within 4 months, with the Minister of State for Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ashad Ali held responsible for bringing him back within the specified duration. However, Ali Waheed has not returned since leaving to the UK.
During the hearing held on November 28, the Criminal Court judge overseeing the case stated Ali Waheed has been given sufficient time for medical treatment, noting the court has also allowed him to take part in the trial hearings online based on the documents submitted by him. The judge noted Ali Waheed has also committed contempt of court by refusing to abide by the Supreme Court’s order to attend the hearings of the appeal into Criminal Court’s decision to allow him to take part in the trial online.
The Criminal Court judge stated Ali Waheed will be given a duration of three days to return to the country and attend the hearings at the court. The judge said action can be taken against Ashad Ali if Ali Waheed fails to appear at court within this timeframe. The judge said Ashad Ali will be penalised under the regulations on contempt of court, which can result in a prison sentence of 1 yeae, house arrest sentence of two years and a fine of USD 1,000.
Ali Waheed is facing charges of sexually assaulting and harassing some of the female employees in the tourism ministry. He has been charged with two counts of sexual abuse, two counts of unlawful sexual contact, a single count of attempted sexual abuse, indecent exposure, and a single count of attempted rape.