DQP alleges MDP involvement in judicial obstruction

The party said in a statement that the alleged action of some MDP MPs within protests that barred entry to Male’s Justice Building was a constitutional violation. The protests had been held in opposition to a ruling by the Civil Court that Addu Atoll did not fulfill criteria to be considered a city.

”By the hard work of the citizens, the judges have become independent according to the new constitution. And we call on the police and the chief justice to take immediate actions against those who attempt to obstruct the judicial system,” the DQP said in the statement. ”This is an additional circle to the series of attempts by the MDP’s government to challenge the constitution, obstruct judicial administration, mock the judges and to create civil unrest.”

The DQP said it was the lawful duty of the police and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) to uphold the constitution ”as you have swore by god to uphold the constitution.” The party also called for police and the MNDF to take action against those trying to influence and threaten the judiciary.

The criticisms made by the DQP follow similar claims made this week by the People’s Alliance Party (PA), which is led by Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, has today condemning attempts to ”influence and threaten the judiciary”, following the protests in Male’.

A PA statement said “reasonable grounds” existed to believe that there were political links in the attempts to block entrance to the cour, based on media reports comments made by MDP MP Alhan Fahmy that Adduans ”would not let courts in Addu open.”

Some Maldivians have reacted in anger to the Civil Court’s ruling that the Local Government Authority established by the government to determine the criteria of cities was incomplete and that the Local Government Authority’s determination that Addu meets the requirements to become a city was invalid.

This resulted in similar protests to those seen in Male’ also being held in Addu Atoll, where people allegedly chain locked the main door of Hulhudhoo court.