Supreme Court

President breaks silence over Supreme Court ruling

Yameen was addressing ruling party supporters in the capital, making it his first public appearance since Thursday night’s decision was published.

Teargas and riot shields as government urges restraint after court ruling

The defence minister said it could be a time of a national security crisis, as hundreds of people filled the capital’s streets to celebrate the imminent freedom of opposition leaders.

UK updates Maldives travel advice after clashes

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which last updated its advice over a terror threat, said political protests and demonstrations often took place in Malé and that some led to violence and arrests.

‘No choice’ but to enforce Supreme Court ruling: opposition

Riot police used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse people who had gathered in their thousands on Thursday night to celebrate the imminent freedom of high-profile prisoners.

State to submit concerns to Supreme Court over verdict

Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed advised the implementation of the ruling following due process and the Prosecutor General’s office said it was working to complete the necessary procedures.

Maldives Supreme Court – a law unto itself?

While the Supreme Court annulled all proceedings against the high-profile politicians, it has not ordered the dismissal of charges. It has ordered their release until a fair retrial.

MP Faris submits case to Supreme Court

Faris Maumoon is already on trial for identity fraud and bribery and was recently released after six months in custody. But he was arrested last Saturday on fresh charges of plotting to overthrow the government by bribing politicians.

Backlash over president’s Supreme Court comments

President Abdulla Yameen told a rally it was the president’s duty to intervene if state institutions, including the Supreme Court, lost their way.

Suspension lifted for sixteen more lawyers

The suspension was reportedly lifted after the lawyers formally apologised in writing to the apex court for signing a petition calling for judicial reform.

Suspension lifted for 13 lawyers

Supreme Court urged to lift mass suspension of lawyers

“None of the 56 lawyers has been allowed to exercise their right to defend themselves or be heard before a disciplinary action,” noted the International Commission of Jurists, Transparency International, Forum Asia, and Frontline Defenders together with local NGO Maldivian Democracy Network.

54 lawyers suspended over ‘unlawful’ judicial reform petition

The four-party opposition coalition reacted to the unprecedented mass suspension by calling on the international community to consider imposing targeted travel and financial sanctions on Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed.

Supreme Court hears appeals from disqualified lawmakers

The Supreme Court has begun hearing appeals from four former ruling party lawmakers contentiously deemed to have been stripped of their seats by the Elections Commission.

Supreme Court anti-defection ruling: roundup of reactions

The four-party opposition alliance called the ruling “a deliberate and politically motivated attempt by President [Abdulla] Yameen” to thwart the upcoming no-confidence vote against Speaker Maseeh.

MPs will forfeit seat for leaving party, Supreme Court rules

MPs will lose their seats if they either switch parties, leave or is expelled after winning on a political party ticket.

PPM refuses to accept en masse resignation of lawmakers

Ten PPM lawmakers who submitted resignation letters after signing an opposition-led no-confidence motion against the speaker were told that they are under investigation by the party’s ethics committee.

PPM backs anti-defection ruling from Supreme Court

Nine MPs have left the Progressive Party of Maldives after the Attorney General sought the anti-defection ruling, dramatically shifting the balance of power in the 85-member house ahead of the July 24 no-confidence vote against the speaker.

Supreme Court asked to disqualify lawmakers who switch parties

Attorney General Mohamed Anil asked the Supreme Court to declare that an MP who leaves his party, joins another party or is expelled from his party will lose his seat.

‘A dark day’: lawyers and legal experts react to supreme court judgment

The supreme court’s judgment declaring itself the final authority on the validity of no-confidence and impeachment votes has drawn widespread criticism from lawyers, lawmakers and legal experts.

Supreme court to decide legitimacy of parliament’s removal of state officials

The supreme court has declared itself the final authority to determine the validity of the parliament’s removal of the president, vice president, ministers, judges, the auditor general, prosecutor general and members of independent institutions.