Nasheed criticises pattern of judicial sackings after govt change
Nasheed said such practices undermined the purpose of constitutional reform and called for systemic change.
Top Stories
Former President Mohamed Nasheed on Wednesday expressed concern over the removal of Supreme Court judges following changes in government, describing it as a recurring issue in the Maldives' political and judicial landscape.
His remarks came after the Parliament approved the removal of two Supreme Court judges, Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir, based on a decision by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The JSC’s decision followed allegations that the judges had influenced the Criminal Court in relation to the arrest and detention of Dr Ismail Latheef, an IGMH doctor and the husband of Justice Azmiralda Zahir, in connection with an incident at a massage parlour.
The dismissals have raised concerns within the judiciary and among the public regarding the independence of the courts and the integrity of judicial processes.
Commenting on the issue in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Nasheed said the assumption that judges must be replaced with each change of government was a serious misstep.
“The Constitution did not envisage changing judges whenever the President wanted. But this Constitution has been shaped against what was expected,” he stated.
Referring to the current system of governance, Nasheed said it functioned more like a “kingdom-style presidential system.”
He noted that the 2008 Constitution had established a new Supreme Court and a framework for judicial independence. However, since then, successive governments elected in 2013, 2018, and 2023 have each initiated changes to the composition of the judiciary.
Nasheed said such practices undermined the purpose of constitutional reform and called for systemic change to prevent recurring judicial dismissals tied to political transitions.
