Maldives Parliament Impeaches Supreme Court Judges Amid Political Turmoil

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

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Image Source: Handout/ Maldives President's Office

The Parliament of the Maldives has impeached two judges from the country’s Supreme Court, escalating a political crisis ignited by President Mohamed Muizzu’s controversial push to amend the constitution. The amendments aim to strip legislators of their seats if they switch political parties, a move that has drawn significant opposition and concern over the integrity of the judiciary.

On Wednesday, the Parliament, dominated by the governing People’s National Congress, voted 68 to 11 to remove Justices Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir, citing allegations of abuse of power. The impeachment occurred as opposition supporters rallied outside the Parliament House, demanding President Muizzu’s resignation and decrying what they termed the intimidation of judges.

This decision follows the suspension of the two judges and their colleague, Justice Husnu al-Suood, by a judicial watchdog aligned with Muizzu’s administration. The Supreme Court had been hearing a petition challenging the anti-defection measures when the suspensions occurred. Suood subsequently resigned, alleging that Muizzu and Attorney General Ahmed Usham were pressuring judges to secure favorable rulings.

In a lengthy press conference on May 3, President Muizzu denied any interference with the judiciary, asserting, “I do not control the [judicial watchdog].” However, the ongoing crisis has paralyzed the Supreme Court, halting all hearings, including those related to the proposed constitutional amendments, and raising fears of renewed instability in the Maldives.

Azmiralda and Mahaz condemned their impeachment, with Azmiralda stating, “This is an attack on the Maldivian judiciary. It is no ordinary matter to bring the Maldives Supreme Court to a halt.” She expressed hope that those responsible for undermining the court would eventually be held accountable.

The impeachment stems from the arrest of Azmiralda’s husband, Ismail Latheef, during a police raid at a spa in December 2022, shortly after Muizzu ratified the anti-defection measures. Latheef was detained on charges of soliciting a prostitute but was later released due to insufficient evidence. The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) subsequently accused the judges of unlawfully lobbying for Latheef’s release, leading to their impeachment recommendation.

The government has categorically denied any wrongdoing, with Attorney General Usham asserting that the JSC’s actions were lawful and free from executive influence. However, the case has drawn criticism from the United Nations and human rights organizations, which have expressed concern over the implications for judicial independence in the Maldives.

Margaret Satterthwaite, the UN’s special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, highlighted the potential violation of constitutional principles regarding the dismissal of judges, emphasizing the need for fair procedures that guarantee objectivity and impartiality.

As the political landscape in the Maldives continues to evolve, the implications of these developments remain uncertain, with many observers watching closely to see how the situation unfolds in this strategically located Indian Ocean nation.