The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned President Mohamed Muizzu’s alleged interference in the judiciary and called for an investigation into what it describes as a systematic effort to manipulate the Supreme Court for political gain.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the MDP accused Muizzu of exerting “undue influence over the Supreme Court” and “manipulating its rulings for political gain.” It urged all state institutions to uphold judicial independence and take immediate steps to prevent political interference.
“Today’s resignation of Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood, who cited in his resignation letter, direct pressure from the administration, is clear proof of the government’s systematic interference in the judiciary,” the MDP said, calling the move part of a broader effort to dismantle democratic institutions.
Suood’s resignation comes as the Supreme Court is set to hear a case challenging the controversial sixth amendment to the Constitution, which strips parliamentarians of their seats if they leave or are expelled from the political party under which they were elected. The MDP said the government had responded to the court’s assertion of jurisdiction by launching “politically motivated investigations” against justices through the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), both of which it described as being under “direct executive control.”
“These actions serve to intimidate judges and exert pressure to secure a decision favorable to President Muizzu’s administration,” the MDP said.
The party also accused the government of further undermining judicial independence by forcing through legislation to reduce the number of Supreme Court justices while the case was still under review. The move, it said, was made “at the direct request of President Muizzu” and aimed at altering the court’s composition to influence the final ruling.
“Despite President Muizzu’s mistaken belief that his control over state institutions will shield him from accountability, the MDP will continue to remind him that the Maldivian people will not tolerate his systematic efforts to dismantle the country’s constitutional order,” the party said.
The party highlighted Article 141 of the Constitution, which prohibits any individual, whether a private citizen or public official, from interfering with or influencing the functions of the courts, and urged all state institutions to “fulfill their constitutional duty and take immediate steps to ensure the judiciary remains independent and free from political interference.”
“We urge the Maldivian people to stand up in defense of democracy,” the MDP said, calling on citizens to “remain vigilant and actively resist the unconstitutional and illegal actions being carried out by the ruling party in its attempt to consolidate unchecked power.”
The government has not responded to the allegations.