Cannot issue order to dismantle Usfasgandu: Criminal Court

Criminal Court has informed the Police that it cannot issue an order to dismantle Usfasgandu area.

Criminal Court said in an order issued today that investigation of the documents submitted by the Police has revealed no indication that the case at hand is within the purview of the Criminal Court:

“...following a study of the submitted documents, there is no indication that the case at hand is within the purview of the Criminal Court; thus the Court cannot issue the requested order.”

Criminal Court said that Male’ Mayor Maizan Ali Manik was summoned today to explain to City Council how the Court functions, because the letter sent by Male’ City Council implied that the Council had certain concerns regarding the Court.

They said that the Mayor was reminded that no individual or institution should attempt to influence or interfere with the work of Judges. They also informed the Mayor that it is not City Council’s mandate to decide which orders can and cannot be issued by the Court, and that the Court will work according to the constitution and laws.

Criminal Court also told the Mayor that it is not acceptable that City Council sends letters to the Court, asking them to act a certain way, and if such practices are repeated, the Court will not hesitate to take the necessary action against the parties involved.

Also, the Mayor told Criminal Court that the request by the Police to the Court to issue an order was confidential, thus should not have been reported by the media. He also said that it was not City Council’s intention to order Criminal Court in any way; the letter was poorly phrased because it was prepared in a hurry.

Criminal Court also said that the Mayor thanked the Court for being summoned in relation to the letter, and apologised for having phrased the letter such that it implied that they were ordering the Court.