'Ex-pres Yameen did not influence PG Office'

Prosecutor General Aishath Bisham has stated that the Prosecutor General's Office was not influenced by former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom in laying charges.

Speaking at the Parliament on Monday, the Prosecutor General said some charges were withdrawn by the office with due reason.

While the responsibilities of the Judiciary committee established by the 19th Parliament include overseeing the work of the Prosecutor General's Office, PG Bisham and other senior officials from the Prosecutor General's Office was summoned by the committee on Monday.

During the session, the committee inquired regarding charges laid by the PG Office during the previous administration that were later withdrawn.

When asked by Kanditheeemu MP Abdulla Shaheem if the former president exerted any influence on the Prosecutor General, PG Bisham said President Yameen did not exert influence on her in any way.

PG Bisham was also questioned regarding those from the then opposition who were arrested during protests by the former administration. PG Bisham said charges were not raised against anyone for simply protesting peacefully, but because of criminal offences that occurred during the protests.

Committee members noted that several charges laid by the Prosecutor General's Office during the previous administration were later changed after the change in administration. PG Bisham said PG's stand in the matters were changed after errors were noticed and after reviewing court rulings.

According to current laws, cases may not be withdrawn from the courts without stating the reason for the withdrawal, said Bisham.

"There are reason behind us changing our stand. We have sent the reasons in detail to the police. According to the current laws, we cannot withdraw a case from the court without stating the reason behind it", said Bisham.

Bisham further assured that she has never instructed prosecutors to lay charges in a specific way. Charge are only pursued when sufficient evidence is presented under the criminal procedural laws, said Bisham.