High Court demands Police to explain failure to present Judge Abdulla in court

High Court has demanded Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) to explain before 2.00pm today their failure to present Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed to the court.

The court also demands an explanation for failure to release the Chief Judge immediately, as ordered by the court.

Media Official of High Court Ameen Faisal said today that the Police have been requested to explain their failure to comply with an order released late last night, and one released at 2.00pm yesterday asking for the presence of Judge Abdulla at the court. A letter had been sent to MNDF demanding an explanation for this before 2.00pm today.

In the letter issued by High Court late last night, they said that the arrest of a Judge can only be ordered by a court higher than the one he works for, and that the arrest of Judge Abdulla was made illegally as there was no high court order to do so. His immediate release was therefore requested.

The presence of Judge Abdulla was requested at the court at 2.00pm yesterday for the hearing of the case submitted requesting cancellation of the notification sent by the Police to summon him to the Police office.

The hearings took place yesterday when the Police complied with the request, and with the presence of Judge Abdulla and his two lawyers.

A Media Official of MNDF said that it is not right to say that they failed to “comply with orders”. He also said that he will check whether a letter has been received from High Court.

Defence Minister Thol’hath Ibrahim Kaleyfaan said last night that Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed was arrested following a letter sent to Police, as the Judge was using his power and authority to hinder Police efforts into upholding internal peace in the society, and that this order was in accordance with Police regulation (71) (b).

Ibrahim Riza, lawyer of Judge Abdulla said that Judge Abdulla’s location has not been disclosed by the Police so far.

As no one is informed of the location of Judge Abdulla, a case was submitted to the Police last night requesting the disclosure of his location, by groups protesting against his arrest. Rumors have also spread last night that the Judge is exposed to Police violence.