Magistrate convicted of conspiring to kidnap president

A magistrate has been convicted of conspiring to kidnap President Abdulla Yameen by forging a warrant for his arrest over the Maldives’ biggest corruption scandal.

Ahmed Nihan, a senior judge at the Maamigili magistrate court, was found guilty of terrorism and sentenced to 17 years in jail.

Nihan’s lawyer Husnu Suood said he intends to appeal the criminal court’s verdict.

“What we kept saying is that Magistrate Nihan refused to issue a warrant. The judge did not note that [in the verdict],” he told reporters after the sentencing late on Friday night.

The magistrate appeared in good spirits during tonight’s proceedings and gave a thumbs up to his family on his way out.

Nihan is the first sitting judge to be convicted in the Maldives. He was indefinitely suspended by the judicial watchdog shortly after his arrest in February.

source-  http://maldivesindependent.com/politics/magistrate-convicted-of-conspiring-to-kidnap-president-124772