The Criminal Court’s suspension of two police lawyers on “ethical grounds” amounts to obstruction of the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and bribery in parliament, claims Deputy Commissioner of Police Ismail Atheef.
Speaking on Television Maldives last night, Atheef explained that the two lead detectives on the case, Inspector Mohamed Riyaz and Superintendent Mohamed Jinah, appeared in court on July 9, but the letter from Chief Judge Abdullah Mohamed informing police of the suspension was received two days later.
“If someone is in contempt of the court, action has to be taken immediately according to provision five of the court regulations,” he said, adding that the detectives were not given any warning nor had their conduct in court been noted by the journalists who were present.
“So when this letter came to us, the way police interpret it is that this is an obstruction specifically of our investigation,” he claimed.
It was the first time that police officers were suspended from the Criminal Court, said Atheef.
The Deputy Commissioner insisted that the suspension was a deliberate obstruction because Riyaz and Jinah, as the two lead detectives and top police lawyers, would have had to appear at court to seek an extension for Nazim’s arrest.
A court official told Minivan News at the time that details of the suspension could not be provided to the media.
”They were suspended due to a case relating to this code of ethics. It is for more than one reason,” he said.
Obstacles
Atheef stressed that police had a good working relationship with the Criminal Court, but began facing difficulties obtaining court warrants in June 2009 when it began an investigation into alleged corruption in the former Atolls Ministry.
Appearing alongside Deputy Commissioner Atheef, the two police lead detectives on the corruption investigation highlighted procedural difficulties faced in their investigations.
The senior officers expressed concern that investigations into “high-profile corruption cases” were compromised at “a very preliminary stage”.
In some cases, Atheef said, police have heard from the public that warrants have been rejected before receiving an official response from the court.
“The suspect knows we’ve asked for a warrant and have been rejected, so he’s free to do whatever he wants,” said Atheef. “We have to appeal and try to get it again but there’s no point.”
Moreover, in the absence of a Criminal Procedures Act, the officers said, there were no “clear guidelines” on how arrests should be made.
While only the Chief Judge Abdullah Mohamed personally issued warrants at present, Jinah argued that it was neither “practical nor reasonable” for one man to bear the responsibility.
Jinah revealed that the Criminal Court gave evidence police presented to seek an arrest warrant to the defence counsel of detained MPs Abdulla Yameen and Gasim Ibrahim.
“In the criminal justice procedure, disclosure of evidence is a completely different stage,” he said. “This happened way before the threshold test to determine whether or not to prosecute.”
He added that the incident had jeopardised the police investigation.
In some cases, said Inspector Riyaz, the media and supporters of the suspect were present when police arrived on the scene after obtaining a search warrant.
Referring to the case of alleged corruption in the former Atolls Ministry, involving MPs Ahmed Nazim and Ahmed “Redwave” Saleem, Riyaz pointed out that Criminal Court was inconsistent in issuing warrants.
“In a case involving two suspects, we requested a travel ban and to check their bank statements,” he said. “But [the court] enforced a travel ban on one and allowed us to check his bank statement. And for the other, [the court] allowed us to get his bank statement but refused to enforce a travel ban.”
On the importance of detaining suspects, Jinah said stopping communication was crucial to preserve evidence.
Moreover, he added, police did not have to go the Supreme Court to confiscate a suspect’s mobile phone.
Drug bust foiled
Jinah, head of the Drug Enforcement Department (DED), said a Criminal Court official informed police last week that a warrant could not be issued for a case involving a kilogram of illegal drugs.
Distinguishing between routine and targeted enforcement, Jinah explained that expediting search warrants was crucial in the latter case.
“This is completely unacceptable,” he said. “I believe the application for the court order should at least be considered. It’s fine if they considered what was in it and said this can’t be done.”
He added that police summoned the court official who relayed the Chief Judges’ answer but he chose to remain silent.
“Now more than a kilo of drugs has gone into Male’,” he said, adding that the court later issued the warrant but “it was no use to us then.”
As investigating judges was outside the police mandate, said Jinah, police have decided to lodge a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) regarding the incident.
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I watched the show on TVM. Now I am fully convinced of what the government and MDP has been saying. There is something seriously wrong with this court-corruption-Nazim case!
There are judges in the Criminal Court who are engaged in running businesses and had obtained loans with the guarantee from DRP and PA officials. No wonder they are reluctant in issuing Court Orders against those people who are associated with DRP and PA.
DRP and their coalition will come up with another excuse. I am just completely lost as to why their supporters believe all their lies. They are just helping criminals get away with their crimes. I really want to ask DRP SUPPORTERS, how they think yaamin and them got so much wealth? how does abdulah shahid has so many properties, even in singapore? all those former cronies got them. I also believe that MDP also has a lot of former corrupt ppl in their ranks. They also needs to be investigated for corrupt deals made and all that money has in bank accounts.
aneh dhivehiraajje is ONLy.. when we could clear corruption for this socity.
What I believe...
The government and MDP is trying to find a way to make the judges come outside and talk in the public and media, by force if necessary.
Therefore, they are creating a scene such that the judges would speak out in their defense. I'm sure if they speak out they would be leaking out enough reasons why they did so.
The government is fed up of the judges since they do not follow anyone but justice.
Shame to government and the police.
this is the kind of politics in small island state democracies. The public has to suffer always. The whole political arena is controlled by rich businessmen who wants to get more rich. What a calamity we have!
The opposition are convincing the world that what Anni is doing is snatching absolute power because he wants to be a dictator. Nothing could be further from the truth. The heart of this move to come against the corrupt judges and law makers is absolutely compassionate, it is for the wellbeing of the people. It is true to the essence of democracy and liberty, the meaning of which is struggle for the essential dignity of all, to arrest corrupt judges, investigate them.
Yamin is in luxury...
Dr. Shaheed, please go into overdrive to fully explain Government's point of view.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Abdulla Ghazee were both sponsored by Burumaa Gasim for his education. So if anyone who thinks that they would rule against Gasim is a total moron.
Indeed. Go Jinah! Tell them how it is. People who want to live in denial or within theoretical niceties will always do so. We have to face reality if we are to move on.
Judges are corrupted as well.
no..no.no. thats not true..
MDP has no corrupt people. They all are cleansed. Only opposition leaders are corrupt. All opposition leaders should be isolated each one on a different island. Please MNDF.. Anni, please order MNDF..
I also have to admit i had my doubts about whether courts were really that corrupt.
Kind of thought that maybe the police were not presenting enough evidence.
Its shocking to say the least how the courts are behaving, and for the police to come out and say it openly, it must be really bad.
This chief judge Abdulla Mohamed, does he have no shame? He has taken an oath to uphold justice in this country.
It defies belief that a person in his position feels no obligation to the people of this country, seems his allegiance lies with those who must have paid him fat checks.
What about the hundreds of criminals who have been released from jail without payroll procedure or rehabilitation pogrom. I know one guy who has been sentenced for 25 years for his involvement in a murder but now transferred to house arrests. There many criminals who been given jail terms but never implemented or taken into custody
Read Human Rights Commission's report on March last year about causes for increase in incident of crimes.
Do we have to ask the courage to question Nasheed's government why hundreds of criminals have been released from custody without the approval of the Payroll Board
So don't blame only judges.
It is very unfortunate that Police have joined Nasheed's government and MDP to parade and vilify judges.
What about the hundreds of criminals who have been released from jail without payroll procedure or rehabilitation pogrom. I know one guy who has been sentenced for 25 years for his involvement in a murder but now transferred to house arrest. There are many criminals who been given jail terms but never implemented or taken into custody
Read Human Rights Commission’s report on March last year about causes for increase in incident of crimes.
Do we have the courage to question Nasheed’s government why hundreds of criminals have been released from custody without the approval of the Payroll Board
So don’t blame only judges.
It is very unfortunate that Police have joined Nasheed’s government and MDP to parade and vilify judges
This is another case of MDP and their puppets blaming everything on a scape goat. Instead of acting like kids, why don't you PROVE that he has broken the laws? Otherwise this is just character assassination, nothing else!
What about the hundreds of criminals who have been released from jail without parole procedure or rehabilitation pogrom. I know one guy who has been sentenced for 25 years for his involvement in a murder but now transferred to house arrest. There are many criminals who been given jail terms but never implemented or taken into custody
Read Human Rights Commission’s report on March last year about causes for increase in incident of crimes.
Do we have the courage to question Nasheed’s government why hundreds of criminals have been released from custody without the approval of the Parole Board
So don’t blame only judges.
It is very unfortunate that Police have joined Nasheed’s government and MDP to parade and vilify judges
Suspending constitution to eliminate corruption is the mother of all political gambles.
If Maldives could eliminate corruption by this method, it would be a world record. We could even teach some lessons to those Italians and Brits who are embroiled in the expenses scandal.
Maldives will go on RECORD , dont worry about that, people are tired of these Yaamin Character and his accomplice's, when PEOPLE are out to snatch justice , they will PREVAIL......
bringing down a 30 year old dictator wasnt that easy after all, but we all did it. And we will do it again, to the court houses,
@ hameed
You want us to play 'spot the difference' tha?
I strained my eyes but could not find any except that you have occasionally hit 'enter key' twice on your first comment.
Well there is only one party (and by 'party' I do not mean political party here) that is right. May be it is the police/government OR may be it is the court.
Both cannot be right.
Nor can both be wrong. (Well, in principle they may both be wrong but I don't think in this case they can both be wrong.)
And if one is at fault, the other MUST prove that they are wrong.
So in a sense, there is no escape for the judges.
IF the judges are corrupt and biassed, all the government needs to do is, PROVE it. Prove with undeniable evidence and they should be punished for their wrongdoing. The 'drug bust foiled story' sounds like a solid story for the government.
If on the other hand the judges are right, then it is pathetic that the government is making such a big fuss.
For more than one reason, I hope the government is right.
stop running the country like a business. this is what happens when you appoint businessmen to top government positions. fire them all and hire scientists just to see what happens.
"... fire them all and hire scientists just to see what happens."
Umm, 'scientists' may not have a clue as to how to run a government.
But ... do you mean Rocket Scientists?
@ Troy
All comments are subject to moderation. So the editor could have removed those comments which have been repeated! But anyway I apologize if I have repeatedly entered the same comments!
It isn't Judge Abdulla who should be ashamed, but those who believe Anni and his goons who advocate BREAKING THE LAW! What happened to "no one is above the law"? Anni was quite happy to parrot this phrase when they wanted power, but once they've got it, it seems that they have forgotten it.
And those of you who would repeat everything they hear without finding out the truth, some day you may be on the receiving end of such unfounded accusations. Let's see how you feel then.
@Mariyam:
Wow! You are so well informed about Judge Abdulla. I am simply amazed that you seem to know more about him than his family. FYI, he has no obligation to protect Gasim or (insert the name of whoever you hate at this moment). He has spent more years getting an education at Azhar University than you have spent educating yourself on simple human respect.
While the older generation has allowed their children to run amok with no care for the rights of others, the younger generation has taken the opportunity to steal, threaten and mob their own race to fund their drug habits.
And what was Judge Abdulla doing? HIS JOB! He has no obligation to follow the gentle instructions (threatening of his and his family's life on a daily basis) of Anni and his band of idiots. He has to follow the LAW!
How many of you can say that their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, etc are drug free? I'll bet my life that you can't. But he can and he makes sure that they obey the law! So try to put your life in order first, carry out your responsibilities as a parent, a son/daughter, a sister/brother, and above all a "DHIVEHI DHARIEH" by ensuring that YOU stay corruption free for the sake of the generations to come.
Perhaps then, those of us who try to uphold the law and walk instead of drive a BMW, eat plain rice instead of caviar, drink water instead of vodka; despite the beckoning of those who try to enslave us with their money and power; shall be able to raise our heads bowed in shame at the level that our fellow country men have sunk. Let this not be a prayer in vain, Amen!
Do you think characters like Jangiyaa Nazim and Yaameen would have overlooked the judiciary in their escape route?
You will be very naive to believe that these judges are NOT influenced by Jangiyaa and Yaameen and Co! It's just like the Italian Mafia; they end up in Court only to be freed by the judges! Same thing is happening here in the Maldives.
The whole thing needs a big cleanup. President Nasheed is taking the right steps. Hassan Saeed and his compatriots are running around like headless chicken 'explaining' to Western countries how 'wrong' the government is! Firstly, how much political support did Hassan Saeed garner from the people? Almost nothing! He's in bed with Jangiyaa, Yaameen and Co., and has absolutely no amount of sincerity in anything he has done so far. How many did he send to their death during the former regime whilst he was Attorney General? Has he ever apologised to their families? NO!
Not to mention that J Nazim and Yamin treat the ACC (Anti Corruption Commision) as their own personal secretariat.
Shame shame shame.
@ MZM
seems like u r a relative of this unworthy character Abdulla.
N let me answer your question "How many of you can say that their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, etc are drug free?"
I can proudly say YES mine is. My family is free from it. And well educated. The least of which is a degree that i am holding within my kins.
Judge Abdulla is corrupt and very biased . He has never found any wrong of DRP and its supporters. But he has very easily found the two cops who presented the case in contempt of the court.
We know that he is unworthy. None of us will ever support DRP and its goons. We are not so blind as to not see the truth.
We were and still will be with Mr. Nasheed.
Does anyone know what Judge Abdullah Mohamed's qualification, where he studied and how experience he is as a judge?
And can anyone let us know what his past records were like?
This is very important when you are a judge and decide who is a criminal and who isn't.
And does any one know what his assets are? I just want to find out whether he can afford all of them with his salary.
I remember reading about him on the media in the past... He is famous, isn't he?
still cant believe these foools , trying to defend one of the most corrupts judges...cant u realise they are using you idiots, just to save their own asses. they dont care about, you guys or ur families, they just want to hold on to their "stolen"wealth from YOUR own pockets. Yet you lots are brainless enough to beilve them. leaving corruption case aside, can u idiots explain why this judge would not grant warrant to search a drug dealers house!!!! have you got peanuts instead of brains????
In order the Government to develop and fulfill the pledges made to people they need co=operation from every institution; namely parliament and Judiciary. If it is not forthcoming I believe the people are more important than them and therefore Government should resort to any available method to ascertain that the other institutions do not block the progress. In that scenario I support the Government if they ignore the court orders or the parliament because people are supreme.
Just a little note to one comment about the Judge having studied at Azhar University.
There is sadly nothing great about Azhar university since those that teaches there or any other Islamic University, only speaks when their respective governments allows them to speak. Hence, they are not practicing Islam as the Prophet (pbuh) showed us.
Be it in Egypt, Yemen or Saudi Arabia.. There are many universities with many people that goes to study for the right intention. Alhamdulillah many do come back with better knowledge about Islam, Hadiths and Sunnah. Yet maybe half does not spread it or speak out against corrupt leaders. The ones that speak out against corruption and take action are put into prison and labeled as terrorists or extremist.
Even in a place like Maldives before, many scholars were more scared of Maumoon then the punishment of God for them standing by while others were oppressed. That is because these Imams were either misguided or had weak faith. But Allah (swt) has has a big punishment awaiting them.
Just the same thing is happening in Egypt now. The Pharaoh of yesterday has come back to rule today and when he says it is day, those scholars given jobs by him repeats the same. Ironically this Pharaoh is controlled by American and Jewish states which are not even Muslim by name.
Hence, just having knowledge does not mean your responsibility ends there. It actually means your responsibility to your Creator increases because the more you know, the more good you have to do.
There are so many evil things happening around the world and in Maldives. Where ever it happens- true, believing, Muslims will risk their lives speaking the truth, fighting for the truth, bringing justice to the weak and raising the words of Allah (swt) high every single day of their remaining life. That is our responsibility as Muslims. We do not need to show off to others what we are doing, but we have to show our Master, the Almighty our devotion to Him.
He is the best of Judges and the best in Punishments. Hellfire is waiting for the corrupted in this world.
Courts may be biased but the Executive is definetely worse. It was Nasheed's cabinet that led the demonstration on Wednesday calling for Yameen and the Chief Justice to be KILLED. These ministers don't deserve a minute more in office.
Whatever it takes Mr. President. Cleanse Maldives of this dirt. You can't expect dirt that has been ingrained for 3 dacades to be cleansed so easily. It will be hard. But unless it is done there will be no going farward.
I am with GOM to clean up our courts, government and majlis of corruption.
I agree with @ MZM. Nobody is above the law. Everybody should be investigated if required. Be it Yamyn, Nazim or people in gaumee party.
corruption is bad and should be stopped. I think most Maldivians agree to that. What is wrong in the approach that is been used by the government of today is the discrimination is selecting who is corrupt..if Nazim and Yamin also took the road that Red Wave Saleem took, I wonder what will happen to the allegations. I say this because we do not hear anything about the allegations regarding Saleem since he joined MDP. Be fair, arrest all corrupt people on all sides. Why is FPID case closed, why is Air Maldives case closed...
@seen
completely agree with you on this. Not only saleem, what about zaki? I have always supported Mr. Nasheed and always will support him as long as he stays true to his values.
We really want a fair, clean and corruption free nation
To defend the corruption of MPs and Judges, a few do seem to be pointing at MDP aligned people. True, these should be looked at. Even MAG should be looked at.
But what is worse? those who are actively working in or promoting corruption today - or the ghosts of past?
All of these judges owe their fat salaries (and even their existence) to the former regime. They both are equally involved in all the dealings of the past.
One cannot be felled without the other. So take them both down.
Here is the truth. This judge has been blackmailed by Jangiyaa http://velidhoo.com/?p=12006
Let's call a spade a spade shall we?
A President who admits that he has lost his senses and followers who believe every lie he spits out, so who seems to have peanuts for brains?
Obviously Nasheed and his puppets believe that the law doesn't apply to them and that they are the only citizens in Maldives.
@all those bragging about their degrees:
seriously? i am assuming that this wonderful education you received didn't cover any areas on morality and obligations to fellow human beings. Otherwise you wouldn't be calling for someone's death. Heard about innocent until proven guilty?
@Royal Class Syndrome
Their existence? You mean I had nothing to do with it?
I am not amused!
*BOOM*
How can we stop corruption in the Maldives ? Most of olden maldivian are not well educated. Even, they don't need to listen others other than old regime. They always think former president Maumoon knows the religion well and they must obey for his Fathwa.
Because, they couldn't see good Dhivehi translation of Quran and Hadhith'. This was pre plained political agenda of Maumoon. People were in the dark room in political issues.
Lets think about the previous revieled books, they made change the book by them selves to make clear and purify the statements. After purifying, all were mixed up and they couldn't see the original of statements. As the people changing and making add on the current constitution, they desing and modifying their own statements. Finally, they are on step of going sprem court to get the translation of subjects in the constitution. They spend a lot of money to modify the constitution as they require.
"This judge has been blackmailed by Jangiyaa http://velidhoo.com/?p=12006"
This has all the hallmarks of Jangiyaa Nazim!! This is how he's been operating all his life and explains how he got filthy rich.
The guy is the lowest of low lifes.
Corruption threatens Good governance, Sustainable developments, Democratic process, fair business practics
So plz eliminate these corruptions
Corruption was, and is, and will be part of the Maldivian culture. Take it or leave it. Be Maldivian. Be corrupt. Thats the way our great forefathers lived. Any good real Maldivian will respect corruption. That is our probelm. The current generation of the Maldivian youth just could't get it and calls .... The Emperor has no cloths.
@hameed on Sun, 18th Jul 2010 5:05 PM
Says:"What about the hundreds of criminals who have been released from jail without parole procedure or rehabilitation pogrom."
Me: What about them? Are you asking the Government to play "Vagu Fulus"? I'm totally against releasing dangerous criminals without rehabilitating them to get back to the Society.
Says:"I know one guy who has been sentenced for 25 years for his involvement in a murder but now transferred to house arrest."
Me: Who is that one guy? Why not you report that to those institutions and commissions that you seems to have such faith in.
Says:"There are many criminals who been given jail terms but never implemented or taken into custody
Read Human Rights Commission’s report on March last year about causes for increase in incident of crimes."
ME: Do you want us to believe the reports of HRCM and it's biased leader who only jumps up and down at each and every event when the government tries to unfold the cases of corruptions of those "saints" that you are so fond of defending?
Says:"Do we have the courage to question Nasheed’s government why hundreds of criminals have been released from custody without the approval of the Parole Board
So don’t blame only judges."
Me: The HRCM had the courage, you have the courage and lots of others ... and it's perfectly fine to question your doubts. But you can't compare this government with the "Zero tolerance regime and it's remnants" who are still under illusion that they can mislead us. Few can be , like you ....
Says:"It is very unfortunate that Police have joined Nasheed’s government and MDP to parade and vilify judges"
Me: The Judicial system was corrupt and puppets of the government under last regime and under direct control of Maumoon. What do you want to prove here? Everyone who uses commonsense know these fact. Common, just making a statement under your deceitful desire can't hide the facts.
HAMEED, YOU ARE LOST IN THE BIG "BLUE" SEA.
It's time you and all others wake up to the reality.
May God bless our nation.
@Rationale on Tue, 20th Jul 2010 5:43 PM
Hey.. Rational! It's quite an irrational way to explain things... but you have a way...hehe! 😉