The High Court has overturned the release of Ibrahim Abdulla (Gabbarey) and ordered his detention over the assault of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Hassan Zareer.
Gabbarey - who is also an MDP national council member - was detained for 30 days in connection with the assault of the MP for Mathiveri. He was released on July 6 when he was taken to the Criminal Court for extension of remand detention.
The state appealed the release order at the High Court.
In a unanimous judgment, a three-judge panel ruled that the Criminal Court's orders to release Gabbarey as well as the other suspects, Mulam Mohamed and Ahmed Ausham, contravened the law prohibiting the use of sharp objects and dangerous weapons.
The Prosecutor General's office or the police were instructed to seek a court order within seven days to keep the three suspects in custody until the end of their trials.
Zareer was attacked inside a cafe in Male' on May 1. Gabbarey is the president of the ruling MDP's Machchangoalhi Dhekunu branch.
After identifying Gabbarey as his assault, Zareer later retracted his statement. Zareer believes he is in danger, the police told the High Court last week.
Gabbarey, 32, previously faced charges of assault and murder.
