Judges sacked to bring judiciary in pres control, MDP says
The MDP said the process carried out by the JSC violated applicable rules and laws.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the dismissal of Supreme Court Judges Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir, calling the move unconstitutional and unlawful.
In a statement issued following Parliament’s decision on Wednesday to approve the removal of the two judges, the MDP accused President Mohamed Muizzu of seeking to bring the judiciary under his full control through the dismissals.
The decision to remove the judges was based on findings by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which alleged that Azmiralda and Mahaz had influenced the Criminal Court regarding the arrest and detention of Dr Ismail Latheef, husband of Justice Azmiralda, in connection with an incident at a massage parlour.
The MDP said the process carried out by the JSC violated applicable rules and laws, and highlighted that Parliamentary Counsel General Fatimath Filza had raised concerns about procedural irregularities during the Judiciary Committee’s deliberations. According to the MDP, the committee proceeded to submit its report to Parliament for a vote despite these concerns.
“The removal of these two judges is an unconstitutional and unlawful act to bring the judiciary under the full control of President Mohammed Muizzu,” the statement read.
The MDP further stated that the judges had requested an opportunity to respond during the committee stage, but were not granted a hearing.
“This is in violation of international treaties to which the Maldives is a party and contradicts democratic principles,” the statement said.
The MDP also warned that the move could erode public trust in the judiciary and cause lasting damage to the country’s institutional framework.
