Supreme Court has summoned former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed to the court for a hearing on the appeal case submitted against him by the State on holding his trial online.

The State had previously said that the trial cannot be held online. Ali Waheed is currently facing multiple charges of sexual violence.

According to the State, the trial cannot be conducted virtually while Ali Waheed resides in the UK since holding a hearing with the defendant in a location outside of Maldives’ jurisdiction is in violation of Criminal Procedure Code. However, Criminal Court Judge Hassan Saeed had previously decided that the trial can continue virtually.

When the decision was appealed at the High Court, the court threw out the petition citing a lack of legal and judicial basis to hear the case as an appeal. Following this, the State appealed High Court's decision to the Supreme Court.

Ali Waheed has been sent summons to attend a hearing regarding the appeal case, scheduled for 13:00 of August 2nd at the Supreme Court.

Ali Waheed was dismissed as Tourism Minister on July 9, 2020, after allegations that he sexually assaulted and harassed multiple female employees at the Tourism Ministry was brought to the attention of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He was initially asked to voluntarily resign but was dismissed after he refused.