New chief justice and prosecutor general approved as parliament breaks for recess

Parliament broke for a two-month recess on Saturday after confirming the president’s nominees for prosecutor general and Supreme Court justices.

Muthasim Adnan was approved as the new chief justice unanimously with 68 votes from the 87-member house. Former attorney general Husnu Suood was approved to the apex court with 64 votes in favour and one vote against from Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Nasheed Abdulla.

Hussain Shameem was approved as prosecutor general with the unanimous consent of 74 lawmakers.

Opposition lawmakers were protesting when the votes were called but Speaker Mohamed Nasheed continued proceedings. About six opposition MPs stood in front of the speaker’s desk calling for the release of convicted former president Abdulla Yameen.

Muthasim, who was controversially removed from the bench in December 2014, previously served as a member of the Human Rights Commission and legal affairs director at the foreign ministry. A former civil court judge and member of the special assembly that drafted the constitution, Suood is presently chair of the presidential commission on unresolved murders and enforced disappearances.

Shameem, who previously served as deputy prosecutor general and defence attorney for several prominent politicians, holds a masters degree in criminal law and criminal justice.

All three nominees were vetted by the judiciary committee ahead of the confirmation votes.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih nominated Suood and Muthasim after seeking the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, which highly recommended the pair. Vacancies opened up after parliament sacked chief justice Dr Ahmed Abdulla Didi and justice Adam Mohamed Abdulla.