Mohamed Aslam, who in his capacity as Speaker of Parliament is also a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), has requested to the commission to investigate whether the appeal of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is being delayed due to undue influence on the judiciary. Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in jail for bribery and money laundering.
“As a member of the JSC, as the Speaker of the Parliament, I will file the case tomorrow and the JSC will hear the case,” Aslam had said.
Speaker Aslam, who is currently contesting the seat for the North Hithadhoo constituency in Addu for the upcoming 20th Parliamentary elections, said he would file the case at a rally, seeking support for MDP candidates contesting the elections, held on Friday.
“Four months after the hearings of the appeal, the verdict is being delayed. Therefore, I would like to request the JSC to look into whether there is any influence on the judges and whether the ethical standards have not been maintained,” he said.
JSC Secretary General Aminath Naadha said she had received the complaint. The matter will be scheduled once vetted by a review committee, she said.
The last High Court appeal hearing for the case, being heard by Judges Mohamed Saleem, Huzaifa Mohamed and Hassan Shafeeu, was held on 21 November 2023 when the final proceedings were concluded with the verdict now remaining.