Adeeb’s lawyer refused response on Supreme Court-ordered criminal inquiry

The Department of Judicial Administration has refused to answer a letter by detained Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s lawyer asking for specifics of a Supreme Court-ordered criminal inquiry against him.

Hussain Shameem, a former deputy prosecutor general, told The Maldives Independent that a letter he wrote to Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed was returned without reply.

“They gave no reason was given as to why my letter was returned. I cannot think of any other explanation but that the Supreme Court’s logic is too superior for us to understand or that it is decades ahead of us,” Shameem, who now resides in Sri Lanka, said.

“Maybe that is the reason why I am finding this unconventional move so confusing and absurd.”

DJA Spokesman Faisal Adam said: “We do not intend on revealing any information on this matter to the media at this point.”

Shameem’s license to practice law was first suspended in November. He was subsequently barred from visiting Adeeb, who was arrested over an explosion on President Abdulla Yameen’s speedboat.

Adeeb is now standing trial on charges of graft and terrorism.

A month later, the Supreme Court ordered a criminal inquiry against Shameem over unspecified charges.

Shameem is unable to return to the Maldives for fear of arrest and has been barred from appearing in any Maldivian court. Contempt of court charges now carry a fine of MVR100,000 (US$6485) or one month in jail.

The police refused to answer questions on the nature of the probe against Shameem, telling The Maldives Independent to call back later.

Other lawyers who represented Adeeb have also faced suspension. One lawyer resigned from Adeeb’s legal team after his suspension.

The move came after the apex court seized the authority to regulate the legal profession from the Attorney General’s Office.