The parliament's Judiciary Committee has approved the Judicial Service Commission (JSC)'s dismissal of Supreme Court Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir after preventing them from defending themselves.
The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) lawmakers voted in favour of their dismissal during a closed-door meeting today without much deliberation. They decided that the JSC report did not have any procedural issues.
Hithadhoo South MP Ibrahim Nazil and Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) boycotted the meeting after it was decided to be held behind closed doors.
Azmiralda had earlier requested the opportunity to speak during the committee. But the committee decided against allowing the justice to defend herself. The JSC also denied the justices the right to defend themselves.
The members of the JSC subcommittee, which recommended the dismissal, are Mohamed Nasih, Yazmeed Mohamed and Ali Abdul Latheef. Nasih and Yazmeed are appointed by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Nasih is the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Yazmeed is Muizzu's representative on the JSC.
Azmiralda and Mahaz were accused of influencing the judges of the Criminal Court to release Azmiralda's husband, who was detained during a police raid on a spa.
In a letter sent on February 26, the JSC said it was investigating allegations that Azmiralda phoned Criminal Court judges and influenced them after her husband was arrested and summoned to a remand hearing.
But the report prepared by the subcommittee states that Azmiralda should be dismissed for influencing the Criminal Court judges through her colleague, Mahaz.
Azmiralda, Mahaz and former Justice Husnu Suood were suspended after the anti-corruption watchdog informed the JSC about a fabricated investigation to prevent a constitutional case on MP disqualification.
In addition to Azmiralda and Mahaz, the JSC also began proceedings against former Justice Husnu Suood. But he resigned in protest of intimidation and influence by Muizzu and his Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham.
The JSC launched abrupt proceedings against the Justices after the Supreme Court began hearing the constitutional amendment that empowers political parties to disqualify MPs for switching parties.
They were suspended shortly before a hearing was due to take place at 11:00 am on February 26. The full Supreme Court bench must sit for constitutional cases. Their suspension has left the top court paralysed for more than two months.
