(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) Technicalities will keep a former president and current opposition leader from the Maldives from having legal representation Monday for his trial on charges related to his 2012 detention of a senior judge, his lawyers said.
Mohamed Nasheed was arrested Sunday to face charges on the allegations.
However, the Criminal Court requires two day's notice before a lawyer can provide legal representation for a trial.
'How can we submit forms two days ahead for a trial we did not know would take place two days before? It is clear to any sane person, this is absolute nonsense,' lawyer Hisaan Hussain was quoted as saying in the Minivan news website.
Nasheed's sudden arrest Sunday sparked widespread protests by his supporters in the capital, Male.
The trial commenced Monday evening.
His Maldivian Democratic Party continued protests ahead of the first hearing.
Nasheed told the court he had injured his hand in a fall while being brought to the chambers.
The case relates to the military's detention of Criminal Court chief judge Abdulla Mohamed in 2012.
Mohamed was removed after accusations of bias and corruption and subsequently released.
The allegations against Mohamed included: disregarding orders issued by higher courts; delaying cases of opposition members; and improprieties regarding arrest warrants.
State Prosecutor Abdulla Rabiu read out the charges against Nasheedas he appeared in court on Monday.
He said Nasheed was being charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
He said that, as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the former president was responsible for the military's detention of Mohamed.
However, Party leader Ali Waheed said Nasheed was arrested on the orders of President Abdulla Yameen.
Waheed said Yameen is worried that the opposition could secure a parliamentary majority by getting opposition parties to unite.
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