Thinoofu Mayor Saud Ali Ordered to Present Defense in Criminal Court Over City Designation Case

In the two charges filed against Thinoofu Mayor Saud Ali in a case where it is suspected that Thinoofu was designated as a city in violation of the law, Saud has been informed that he must present evidence to be revealed in defense of the charge and submit his response to the accusations during the court session to be held at the Criminal Court on the 10th of this month. Saud was informed of this matter during the hearing held in the case today. The judge presiding over the case, while informing Saud, stated that Saud had been given a period of 25 days on various occasions to appoint a lawyer. However, noting that this is the last opportunity to appoint a lawyer, the judge stated that a hearing will be held for these cases on the 10th of this month. He stated that on that day, one must come with a lawyer and submit the evidence needed to be revealed in the charge and how to respond to the accusation. However, the judge stated that even if a lawyer is not appointed, the hearing on that day will proceed. Furthermore, the judge instructed Saud that if a lawyer is not appointed, he himself must present these matters in the hearing on that day. The judge stated that a decision will also be made regarding the temporary order requested by Saud to keep evidence secret during the hearing on that day. In this case, the charges brought against Saud are the charge of giving a false document knowingly and the charge of providing false information to an official authority. During today's hearing, the judge granted certain rights available to the accused to Saud. Additionally, the judge requested the state lawyer to inform Saud of the two charges brought against him by the state and to grant him the associated rights. Following the reading of the two charges, the state lawyer, while explaining the rights available to Saud, stated that there would be an opportunity to propose a plea agreement in these cases, and if a sentence is determined under a plea agreement during the preliminary hearing, the punishment for the charge of giving a false document knowingly would be reduced to one year and 12 days. The state lawyer also noted that the punishment for the charge of providing false information to an official authority would be reduced to three months. When the state presented the charge, Saud stated that time is needed to study the documents and appoint a lawyer, and requested this opportunity. At the same time, the mayor stated that work must be done from Thinoofu in his capacity as mayor, and delays have occurred due to his duties.