The Maldives Parliament has voted to remove Supreme Court Justice Ustaz Mahaz Ali Zahir and Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir from office, following an investigation led by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). In two separate roll-call votes held earlier today, 68 members voted in favor of each judge's dismissal, while 11 MPs opposed both decisions.
The dismissals follow a contentious process that has drawn criticism from both domestic legal experts and international observers. The JSC launched its investigation shortly after the Supreme Court began hearing a politically sensitive case involving the removal of parliamentarians who switch political parties—a move seen by some as politically motivated.
Critics of the process, including the UN and legal bodies from Commonwealth nations, argued that the JSC had violated due process, including by suspending the judges without providing a chance for defense and conducting secret proceedings. Despite these concerns, the Parliament's Judiciary Committee concluded that the JSC had acted within its mandate and found no procedural faults.
Justice Mahaz was appointed to the Supreme Court on November 4, 2019, and Justice Azmiralda on September 4, 2019. Both had served through multiple administrations and were among the highest-ranking members of the judiciary.
The move marks one of the most significant shake-ups in the Maldivian judiciary in recent years and is likely to intensify scrutiny over judicial independence in the country.