Senior state lawyer resigns over state of emergency

A senior state lawyer  at the Attorney General’s office has resigned, citing challenges in upholding the law while employed there.

Mariyam Shunana had been critical about a state of emergency that was declared on February 5, with local media reporting she was under scrutiny for her tweets.

“It was a very difficult decision to resign from AGO where I have worked for around 10 years. But, this was necessary and I hope to do some good out there serving public,” she tweeted on Wednesday night.

She said prior to resigning that a state lawyer should not be a “hired gun” who defended the unconstitutional acts of public officials or state entities.

Last month she called on President Abdulla Yameen to lift the state of emergency.

She told newspaper Mihaaru she had no choice but to resign, as she could not uphold the law while working there.

She said her work as an attorney would continue and that she would focus on those who lost their jobs for demanding rights.

Shafeea Riza, a deputy counsel at the AG’s office, also resigned after expressing concern over Attorney General Mohamed Anil’s actions.

Nobody from the Prosecutor General or Attorney General’s office was responding to comments.

Photo: vfp.mv