Parliament committee to summon Judge Abdulla Mohamed

Parliament Committee on the Oversight of the Government, which is investigating the Commission of National Enquiry (CoNI) report, has decided today to summon the Criminal Court Judge Abdulla Mohamed (Abdulla Gaazee).

The committee, which holds Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) majority, has decided to summon the judge in relation to his arrest during president Nasheed’s term of office. The committee has also decided to summon Home Minister Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim in relation to the investigation.

The committee has also decided to summon the President of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and Supreme Court Judge Adam Mohamed to clarify information regarding a disciplinary issue currently being investigated by JSC. They are to be summoned to attend the committee meeting on Monday.

Speaking to the media at the parliament building, the chair of the committee MP Ali Waheed said that Judge Abdulla Mohamed is not being summed in his capacity as a judge, but rather on an individual capacity. He said that Abdulla Mohamed must have the opportunity to defend himself and speak as individual regarding his enforced disappearance.

While the committee has decided to look into the enforced disappearance and disciplinary issue of Judge Abdulla Mohamed, both these issues are currently pending in court. On the contrary, when the parliament committee started investigations regarding the Hulhumale’ Court case, Supreme Court issued a ruling stating a matter ongoing in court cannot be investigated.