Supreme Courts orders police investigation against ex-vice president’s lawyer

The Department of Judicial Administration, on orders from the Supreme Court, has asked the police to launch an investigation into an unspecified charge against former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s lawyer Hussain Shameem.

A police spokesperson confirmed that Shameem is under investigation, but declined to reveal the nature of the charges against the former deputy prosecutor general.

The DJA, which functions under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, also refused to provide details. The department’s spokesperson told The Maldives Independent to submit a formal request for information in writing.

Shameem is currently out of the country.

In early November, the Supreme Court temporarily suspended Shameem’s law license pending an investigation into charges of contempt of court. Shameem has been barred from appearing in any Maldivian court.

Contempt of court carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail.

The apex court has also taken over regulating the legal profession from the Attorney General’s office, seizing powers to license and register lawyers.

The Supreme Court had also suspended another lawyer representing the impeached vice president, whilst the police temporarily barred a third lawyer from meeting his client at the detention centre.

Adeeb is under custody on suspicion of plotting to assassinate President Abdulla Yameen, who escaped unhurt from an explosion on his speedboat on September 28.

The vice president’s arrest on October 24 upon his return from an official trip to China meanwhile plunged the Maldives into a fresh political crisis.

He is now facing numerous charges, including terrorism, attempted murder, and corruption.

Earlier this week, the Prosecutor General’s office filed charges against Adeeb at the criminal court over the illegal lease of islands for resort development.

He is also facing terrorism charges on suspicion on carrying a pistol. However, Adeeb’s lawyers say the charges are based on hearsay as police had not found any weapons from his apartments.