Lawyer Hisan Hussain. PHOTO/MIHAARU
On Sunday, the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) revoked the suspension of lawyers, Hisaan Hussain and Ibrahim Riffath, who was suspended over submitting a petition to the Supreme Court raising concerns over the judicial system and calling to uphold the rule of law.
DJA stated in its announcement that it was terminating the suspension placed on Hisaan and Riffath after the conclusion of an investigation it carried out, although no further details about the cases were disclosed.
Lawyer Ibrahim Riffath (L) pictured with MP Mohamed Waheed. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED/MIHAARU
Lawyers Hisaan and Riffath, who advocate for several high-profile opposition figures, were barred from the courts along with 54 other prominent lawyers of the country who submitted the petition on September 10. Hisaan Hussain also belongs to the legal team of former president Mohamed Nasheed, and that of Gasim Ibrahim, the leader of Jumhoory Party.
DJA had suspended the lawyers who signed the petition indefinitely, declaring that they had gathered at the Supreme Court unlawfully and obstructed the independence of the whole justice system. Further, it had alleged that the lawyers were in violation of the Judicature Act, the lawyers’ pledge, regulations to prevent contempt of court, and the regulations of the Supreme Court.
The mass suspension of lawyers in September is the largest such case in the history of the Maldives, which drew much criticism from opposition parties and some international bodies.
The administration has since revoked the suspension of 37 of the lawyers after concluding their investigations. However, 15 lawyers still remain barred from court.
Full details are available from the link below:
