Supreme Court

Watchdog ‘challenging Supreme Court’ with US$110m claim against Villa

The Anti-Corruption Commission says the state incurred heavy losses due to a 2013 settlement agreement with Villa that waived rent for properties leased for resort development.

Detained judge tells court he has paraplegia

The assistant prosecutor general said the arrest, recorded on video, did not show the judge being injured and claimed he was being held in the special protection unit of Maafushi prison with special treatment and family visits.

Obstruction charge trial to proceed against chief justice

The chief justice is also on trial for bribery, terrorism and obstruction of justice.

Rule of law and fundamental freedoms ‘under attack’ in Maldives

Authorities have repressed all forms of dissent including “violently breaking up peaceful demonstrations, arbitrarily arresting and detaining protesters, attacking journalists and threatening news organisations with closure,” said a report.

Supreme Court upholds amendments to Judges Act

The Judges Act was amended so that judges convicted of a criminal offence can be removed from office – without parliament’s involvement – after the appeal process has been completed.

Lawmakers set to lose seats – again – after Supreme Court ruling

It is not clear if or when there will be by-elections for the soon-to-be vacated seats.

Second secret trial held for detained judges

The judges have yet to respond to the charge, but their arrests have been condemned as politically motivated.

Big changes ahead for legal sector, says AG

In the Maldives anyone with a law degree can become a licensed legal practitioner, but the attorney general said this would no longer be the case.

‘State of necessity’ invoked to pass laws without constitutional quorum

The Attorney General’s office asked the Supreme Court to rule that parliament can pass laws without a constitutional quorum when lawmakers boycott votes.

‘Criminal intent’ no reason to nullify Supreme Court order

The state attorney asked the court to rescind its February 1 order to reinstate 12 MPs on the grounds that it was issued with the criminal intent of toppling the government.

Supreme Court to rule on constitutionality of disputed laws

The Supreme Court concluded hearings Tuesday to decide whether it will hear the opposition’s challenge to the constitutionality of two controversial bills ratified last week.

Parliament’s approval of state of emergency constitutional, Supreme Court rules

The Supreme Court has legitimised parliament’s approval of President Abdulla Yameen’s state of emergency with less than half of lawmakers present last Tuesday.

“When somebody shits, we clean it up”: President addresses coup plot

“That night of 1 February was an attempt to bring my government down to its knees,” said President Abdulla Yameen of a Supreme Court ruling ordering the release of his opponents.

Maldives wants foreign help to investigate judges

Top Maldives court rejects Yameen impeachment case

The petition was filed last month, to much fanfare, by former presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as well as other opposition figures.

Police probe launched into Maldives ‘coup attempt’

Police spokesman Ahmed Shifan told reporters that US$260,000 had been found in a bag belonging to Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed, one of two judges arrested after Yameen declared a state of emergency.

Maldives State of Emergency: A timeline

President Abdulla Yameen claims the Supreme Court is at the centre of what his supporters have called a “judicial coup” to overthrow the government. He says there was no way to investigate the attempted coup without declaring a state of emergency.

Maldives judges ‘took millions in bribes’ as part of coup plot

Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Judge Ali Hameed were both arrested hours after a state of emergency was declared.

Top judge denies faking signature on Supreme Court ruling

James Dauris said he had spoken to Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, who signed a verdict saying that nine prisoners should be freed until they could have fair trials.

Government squares up to Supreme Court over presidential impeachment ‘threat’

Statements initially suggested the government’s compliance but the attorney general’s latest remarks and comments from the military indicate further turmoil for the honeymoon destination.