Maafannu Dhekunu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy has been summoned to the Supreme Court for questioning.
While speaking on the bill on dismissal of judges at the parliament floor at Monday’s parliament sitting, Imthiyaz stated that the judiciary of the Maldives need to be reformed, and the effort to clean the judiciary cannot be obstructed by intimidation. It is believed that the multiple-term MP is being summoned over his statement. However, Imthiyaz continued to reiterate his opinion at the parliament floor even after he was asked to present himself at the Supreme Court at 8.00am on Tuesday.
Galolhu Uthuru MP Eva Abdulla has voiced her concern over the summon, stating that those working towards reform cannot be backed down through intimidation. Alleging that the Supreme Court was the most corrupt of all courts, Eva likened the Supreme Court to a ‘Vakaruge’, a term in the Maldivian language used to describe delinquents in need of reform.
Recently, renowned attorney and President of the commission investigating murders and enforced disappearances Husnu-Al-Suood, and newly elected MP for Fonadhoo constituency Moosa Siraj were also summoned and questioned by the Department of Judicial Administration over comments made regarding the judiciary. Economic Minister Ahmed Fayyaz has recently stated that it is imperative that the parliament reviews what constitutes as ‘contempt of court’.
Reforming the judiciary is one of the key pledges of the current government. Leader of MDP and newly elected MP for Macchangolhi Central constituency Mohamed Nasheed has pledged to achieve judicial reform through MDP’s framework to be implemented in the upcoming parliament, Agenda19.
Main ruling MDP won super majority of the parliament in a landslide victory, securing 65 seats in the parliament.
MP Imthiyaz Fahmy - Photo: AVAS
