Former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood has raised alarm over what he describes as politically motivated efforts to silence independent voices in the judiciary.
His remarks follow reports that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is investigating disciplinary cases against five of the 11 judges on the High Court bench.
In a post on X, Suood accused the government of systematically tightening control over the justice system. He claimed that after removing four Supreme Court judges, the administration appointed loyal but unqualified replacements, and is now targeting five of the High Court’s most competent judges along with two Civil Court judges.
“This looks like a systematic effort to tighten full control over the justice system. Our institutions deserve better,” Suood wrote.
He alleged that the cases being used to justify the removals are baseless and politically driven, aimed at undermining judicial independence.
Alarming developments in our judiciary: after the President’s removal of 4 Supreme Court judges and the appointment of loyal, unqualified replacements, he is now reportedly moving to oust 5 of the High Court’s best judges and 2 more from the Civil Court. This looks like a…
— Husnu Al Suood (@husnusuood) November 20, 2025
Although President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that his government will not interfere with the judiciary, Suood pointed to recent suspensions of three Supreme Court judges, himself included, while the court was hearing a case involving government interests.
Suood, Mahaz Ali Hazir, and Dr. Azmiralda Zahir were suspended by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Suood resigned shortly after, while Mahaz and Azmiralda were dismissed without being given adequate time to respond to the allegations.
The Supreme Court bench was also reshuffled while considering a constitutional case that could strip party members of their parliamentary seats. The JSC suspended three judges just as they were preparing to issue an order on the case, prompting further accusations of government interference.