Court gives Thinadhoo mayor until 10 November to appoint defence lawyer

The Criminal Court has given GDh. Thinadhoo Mayor Saud Ali a final opportunity to appoint a defence lawyer in a case involving allegations that he provided false information about the island's population.

The decision was made during a hearing on Sunday, which was broadcast live on the Criminal Court's YouTube channel.

The state filed two criminal charges against Saud on 1 September 2026.

He is charged with knowingly submitting a false document, an offence carrying a basic sentence of one year, seven months and six days in prison.

He also faces a charge of providing false information to a government institution, which carries a basic sentence of four months and 24 days in prison.

During Sunday's hearing, presiding Judge Ahmed Shafiu said the court had already given Saud a total of 25 days to appoint a lawyer.

The judge outlined several previous opportunities granted to the mayor to secure legal representation.

The court initially gave Saud 10 days on 5 October to appoint a lawyer.

A hearing scheduled for 19 October was subsequently cancelled after Saud requested additional time to arrange legal representation.

Another hearing was scheduled for last Thursday, but Saud informed the court shortly before it was due to begin that he could not attend because of responsibilities associated with his position as mayor.

Judge Shafiu said the court had already provided sufficient time for Saud to appoint a lawyer.

The judge subsequently decided to give him one final opportunity to attend the next hearing, scheduled for 10 November, with legal representation.

Saud was instructed to attend the hearing prepared to respond to the charges and present evidence in his defence.

The judge also made clear that proceedings would continue on 10 November even if Saud had not appointed a lawyer.

In that event, Saud would be required to represent himself and respond to the charges without legal counsel.

Despite the absence of a defence lawyer, the court allowed the prosecution to present the charges during Sunday's hearing.

The case concerns allegations relating to population figures for Thinadhoo, which was granted city status on 31 August 2023.

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced the decision during a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) campaign rally held on the island ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

At the time of the announcement, records maintained by the Department of National Registration showed that Thinadhoo had a registered population of 7,906.

However, a subsequent Elections Commission report prepared for the determination of electoral constituencies for the 20th Parliament recorded Thinadhoo's registered population as 10,150.

According to the report, the population was distributed between two constituencies, with 5,076 registered residents in Thinadhoo North and 5,074 in Thinadhoo South.

The increase of 2,244 people over a relatively short period raised questions about the accuracy of the island's population records.

The criminal case against Saud concerns allegations of providing false documentation and information in connection with the population figures.

The charges remain allegations, and the court has not reached a verdict.

The next hearing is scheduled for 10 November, when the court is expected to proceed with the case regardless of whether Saud has secured legal representation.