The Maldives Police Service has officially filed and closed the case against former Supreme Court Justice Dr Azmiralda Zahir, following a decision by the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office to decline prosecution over allegations of abuse of power.
The case, which was initially submitted to the police by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), was closed after the PG Office refused to accept the matter for prosecution.
The PG Office informed Adhadhu that the decision to decline the case was made on September 30, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed after the police had submitted their findings.
The police have formally notified Dr Azmiralda in writing that the case has been filed, stating that the PG Office determined there was no evidence of criminal conduct.
"Upon reviewing the evidence and facts gathered during the investigation into the allegations, it was determined that there are no grounds to believe a criminal offence was committed. Consequently, as the Prosecutor General’s Office has decided not to pursue charges, we inform you that the case has been filed and closed by this service," the police statement read.
Dr Azmiralda Zahir and Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir were both removed from the Supreme Court bench. Their dismissal followed an ACC investigation, which led to a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) inquiry and a report submitted to Parliament.
The investigations by the ACC and JSC were initiated after the Supreme Court began presiding over a constitutional challenge regarding an amendment that would cause Members of Parliament to lose their seats if they left their political party.
The ACC began its investigation into Supreme Court Justices Husnu Al Suood, Mahaz Ali Zahir, and Azmiralda Zahir in February 2024. The three justices were suspended pending the investigation, just as hearings for the anti-defection case were scheduled to begin.
Justice Suood resigned while the investigation was ongoing. In May 2024, the government-aligned Parliament voted to remove Justices Mahaz and Azmiralda, a move that went against the advice of the Parliament’s Counsel General.
Both Azmiralda and Mahaz were denied the opportunity to defend themselves during the JSC proceedings and the subsequent Parliamentary committee stage. Their removal was passed by a supermajority of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
While the ACC stated it was investigating criminal matters involving the judges, it did not provide specific details at the time. It was later revealed that Mahaz and Azmiralda were accused of exerting undue influence over a lower court case, while Suood faced allegations related to comments made regarding the accountability of the High Court Registrar.
