Court dismisses petition by Mariyam Zubair in defamation case

The Civil Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) activist Mariyam Zubair seeking to overturn an earlier ruling that found she had defamed President Mohamed Muizzu’s eldest son, Umair Mohamed Muizzu, after Mariyam's lawyers failed to appear in court on time. 

The court had previously ruled that Zubair could be sued for defamation and damages by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, acting on behalf of her son.

Zubair’s legal team filed a petition requesting dismissal of the case, arguing that the matter should be reviewed under the Civil Procedure Act, which provides a right to review judgments in the presence of the judge.

However, Civil Court Judge Adam Zaleef ruled that the court had the authority to dismiss a case when parties fail to appear on time without prior notice. The ruling stated that this authority is provided under the Rules of Procedure for the Appearance of Persons in Civil Court.

According to the judgment, Zubair and her lawyers were summoned to appear at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, but they did not arrive on time. When contacted by the court’s administrative desk at 11:43 a.m., the lawyers said they were attending a hearing at the Employment Tribunal. At 11:49 a.m., the administrative desk was informed that all lawyers from the firm were in court and that the only available lawyer was unwell.

The earlier ruling by the Civil Court had concluded that Zubair’s comments deprived Umair Mohamed Muizzu of his right to reputation protection. As a result, the court found that First Lady Sajidha Mohamed was entitled to seek damages from Zubair.

The court also stated that it would determine whether the MDP and party chairperson Fayyaz Ismail bore any responsibility for Zubair’s remarks after reviewing the full case.

The court further clarified that, under Maldivian law, it does not have the authority to order a public apology in a defamation case.

The defamation claim arose after Zubair alleged that the government’s decision to ban vape products was made out of anger towards the president’s son. The First Lady denied the claim, stating that her son had no involvement in the matter.