Maldives court sentences MP to one year in prison for refusing to provide urine sample after arrest

A Maldivian court has sentenced a Member of Parliament (MP) to a year in prison for refusing to provide police with a urine sample after he was arrested for allegedly consuming alcohol, local media said on Friday. The Maldives Criminal Court sentenced Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to a year of imprisonment for refusing to submit to a urine test carried out by the police after he was arrested from the uninhabited island of Haa Dhaal Atoll Hondaidhoo In 2012 for allegedly consuming alcohol. Jabir is seeking re-election in the parliamentary elections scheduled to be held on March 22. However, Jabir will not lose his parliament seat nor will he be barred from the upcoming elections, local media outlet Haveeru reported. According to the Maldivian Constitution, an individual convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to more than one year of imprisonment cannot contest to be a member of the parliament. MP Jabir has reportedly been taken to Maafushi Prison. Jabir is also facing two other charges, including possession of alcohol and use of cannabis. If convicted of the alcohol possession charges, Jabir will face an additional one to three years of imprisonment or banishment. If convicted of the cannabis charges, the MP will face another 15 years in prison and a fine.