After failing to appear before the Supreme Court for his appeal hearing, former Tourism Minister Ali Waheed was sentenced to two months in prison for contempt of court.

The first hearing in the Prosecutor General's Office's appeal of the decision to allow online hearings in Ali Waheed's criminal case was initially set for August 2 but was rescheduled for 1:00 p.m. this Wednesday. Ali Waheed, who left for the United Kingdom after the Criminal Court granted a temporary restraining order against him in February, did not appear at the hearing.

Justice Husnu Al-Suood, handed down the punishment, noting his inability to appear in court two times despite receiving a court summons. As it was deemed a contempt of court by the Supreme Court, and he was sentenced to two months and twelve days in prison.

Others on the panel, including Justice Ali Rasheed Hussain and Justice Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, agreed with his decision.

Section 541 of the Penal Code was used to hold Ali Waheed in contempt of court.

The sentence will be carried out by the Maldives Correctional Service.