Police have complained that the defence lawyer of Al-Qary Hussain Thaufeeq, a renowned reciter of the Quran who was recently arrested on multiple charges of child sex abuse, also served as the prosecution lawyer for one of Thaufeeq’s alleged victims.
Thaufeeq formerly hosted a daily Quran teaching programme on Television Maldives (TVM) for school children every evening after Isha prayers. Prior to his arrest, he also led Friday prayers and conducted sermons.
A police media official said that police would not disclose details regarding the case, but said the lawyer Abdulla Shiyaz had appeared as both Thaufeeq’s defence and as prosecution for one of the girls he allegedly molested.
Legal Officer of the Criminal Court, Mohamed Amir, said the police concerns had been presented to the Criminal Court.
“There were two defence lawyers for Thaufeeq, Abdulla Shiyaz and Ali Shah,” he said. “Police have claimed Abdulla Shiyaz appeared in court as the prosecution lawyer for an alleged victim of the accused. When the investigation is ongoing, the victim has the right to present her own lawyer if she wishes so.’’
Amir said the police investigation team have claimed that the issue could obstruct the police investigation and influence the witnesses.
‘’It is against the code of ethics of lawyers to appear as both prosecution and defence lawyer at the same case,’’ Amir noted.
However Abdulla Shiyaz told local news paper Haveeru that he denied the charges and claimed it was an attempt by police to denigrate his reputation.
He said that when he appeared in court on the victim’s side, he did not know that it was a case related to Thaufeeq.
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What kind of a lawyer is it who does not know anything about the case he is working on by the time he goes to court.
Typical Maldivian behaviour.
Abdulla Shiyaz, you should resign. You are a disgrace to the profession of Law.
what kind of a legal system is that..
He should not be allowed to practice law again. What an unethical thing to do appearing as both the defense lawyer and the prosecuting one for one of the victims.
And what utter bull to say he did not know if the case was related to Thaufeeq.
It will all make sense when Mr. Abdullah Shiyaz is also able to appear as the victim and defendant at the court. If Mr. Abdullah can also be made the criminal court judge for the case.
well then he himself proved that hez not capable of being a efficient lawyer.. In this situation there is a possibility that he may well use the evidence against the alleged victim..
I think this is going to be a fair one.....what sort of a leagal system is this? my foot...
Typical Maldivian.
But the question is, since when has competence played a significant factor in any of Maldivian upper echelons?
More say is on how arrogant and shamelessness they show in their march ahead.
So, my guess is that this double-timer would prosper unhindered at a faster rate in our community.
This must be the biggest joke of the Maldivian legal system. What kind of a lawyer is he??? This is hilarious!!!
Please don't let jerks of lawyers, divert attention from the horrendous crime perpetrated here.
typical. nothing new. chk past cases. same happened b4. shame..
in my point of view its not the legal system or the governments fault, there are a handful of lawyers who are money crazy and would do anything to get that extra buck. i happen to personally know the alleged lawyer and would like to ask him why his two colleagues left him just a few months back. i believe the lawyers association should look into this, if a lawyer is going against the ethics he/she should be penalized by the lawyers association or the justice ministry.
And Shaheem asked us to respect this so-called "justice system".
Psh.
Abdulla Shiyaz,
Do some reference on "Conflict of Interest".
This is such a farce!
LAW and LAWYERS have become so disgusting that it is impossible to believe them both!
Perhaps I was right when I said that LAWYERS will find some way to white wash Qaaree Thawfeeg enabling him to reappear on TV in disguise!
End result of 3 decades of dirty power play and disgrace!
Afghan is many things. Most prominent would be the Talibans and their version of religion.
What a joke.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11217772