High Court: Mahloof was arrested unlawfully of Feb. 22

High Court has ruled that South Galolhu MP Ahmed Mahloof was arrested distributing masks to protestors during the opposition coalitions rally in February in violation of Parliamentary Privilege Act.

Mahloof was arrested on February 22 during the State of Emergency from in front of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Center in front of the Henveyru Artificial Beach.

His arrest order read that he was committing an act which could threaten the security of the community.

Mahloof was kept detained for 43 days, and charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

Mahloof had appealed his arrest and subsequent detention. And the High Court ruled this Sunday that his arrest and detention violated the Parliamentary Privilege Act.

The High Court noted in its verdict that the Parliamentary Privilege Act was not suspended during the State of Emergency and therefore still applicable.

It also noted that an arrest order for a parliamentarian needs to be requested by the Prosecutor General from a superior court.

It said that though the police claim Mahloof was arrested red handed obstructing a law enforcement officer, it was clear Mahloof wasn’t obstructing a law enforcement officer when he was arrested and the order for his arrest was issued beforehand.

Mahloof had faced a number of charges during outgoing President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration. He was sentenced to six months in prison for entering a cordoned off area and sentenced to four months and 24 days for attempting to flee police officers.