President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has no love for justice, former Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain has said.
He made the remarks after the parliament's Judiciary Committee rejected Supreme Court Justice Azmiralda Zahir's request to speak in her defence.
“This alone proves that President Muizzu has no love for justice,” said Ali Hussain, who also works as a lawyer.
"The way he treated [Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed] Azaan shows that he will take action against anyone who points a finger against the President's wishes. With so much power, he has no love for justice," he posted on X.
Azaan was removed from parliamentary committees and the official WhatsApp group of ruling party MPs after he refused to vote for an unconstitutional bill to reduce the number of Supreme Court judges. Muizzu and other party leaders had ordered MPs to vote in favor of the bill.
On February 26, Azaan left the parliament floor to abstain from the vote on the bill.
The bill was passed shortly after three Supreme Court justices were suspended to halt the top court from hearing a constitutional case connected to the disqualification of MPs for floor-crossing.
Justice Husnu Suood resigned in protest of intimidation and influence by Muizzu and his Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham.
The government, through the Anti-Corruption Commission, fabricated a criminal investigation against Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz Ali Zahir. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) did not allow them to defend themselves during the proceedings.
JSC later approved to dismiss the two justices. The parliament's Judiciary Committee is currently reviewing their dismissal.
Ali Hussain and dozens of other lawyers have condemned the Judiciary Committee's decision not to allow Azmiralda to speak in her defence.
Former chairperson of the Judiciary Committee Imthiyaz Fahmy said justices must be allowed to speak in their defence when there are questions over due process.
Former Attorney General Dhiyana Saeed said the committee's decision not to allow Azmiralda to speak in her defence was unlawful.
