Govt withdraws appeal against disclosure of political staff
The government had initially sought to keep the details of 248 political staff members confidential but has now withdrawn its legal challenge.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has withdrawn its appeal at the High Court challenging a decision by the Office of the Information Commissioner (ICOM) to disclose information on political staff appointed by President Mohamed Muizzu under Article 115 of the constitution.
According to the High Court registry, the President’s Office filed the appeal last Monday. The case was reported in local media on Monday.
Attorney General Ahmed Usham stated that the appeal was withdrawn on the same day it was filed. Speaking to Atoll Times, Usham said the decision was based on an instruction from President Muizzu not to appeal Right to Information (RTI) cases that are legally clear and without conflict.
The petitioner had requested the following information:
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Details of political appointments made between 17 November 2023 and 8 January 2024
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Names, ministries, positions, and salaries of the appointed staff
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Addresses of the employees (which ICOM ruled should be excluded)
The government had initially sought to keep the details of 248 political staff members confidential but has now withdrawn its legal challenge.
