Male, February 4 (newsin.asia): Following an alert from the Maldivian security authorities about the possibility of the Supreme Court issuing a ruling to impeach President Abdulla Yameen , the Attorney General Mohamed Anil has advised all law enforcement agencies not to comply with any order that is in conflict with the Constitution and an order from the Supreme Court to impeach the President is not constitutionally vaid.
The Supreme Court does not have any legal or constitutional authority to initiate the removal of a President from Office. Only the parliament can, Anil pointed out.
Meeting the media earlier today, the Attorney General underscored that under Article 8 of the Constitution, all State affairs must be carried out in accordance with the Constitution of the Maldives. He emphasized that Article 8 does not in any way exempt any institution or branch of power, and that all institutions and powers of the State must function in accordance with the Constitution.
Hence, no institution of the State may exercise a power outside the Constitutional guidelines, the Attorney General said.
The Attorney General also said that Article 100 of the Maldives’ Constitution very clearly states the terms under which a President may be removed from Office. A President may be removed by a resolution passed by the People’s Majlis and as such the Attorney General noted that there is no role of the courts [Supreme Court] in this process.
Additionally, the Attorney General underlined that Article 113 of the Constitution also states the same, that the Supreme Court, sitting together in session, shall have sole and final jurisdiction to determine all disputes concerning the qualification or disqualification, election, status, of a Presidential candidate or running mate or removal of a President by the People’s Majlis.
The Supreme Court does not have any legal authority to initiate the removal of a President from office.
The Attorney General noted that ihe Administration and security services have received information of plans to create unrest across the country. He called for support and cooperation of the community for the security agencies in order to maintain peace and ensure safety of its people.
He reiterated that consultations are underway with the Supreme Court in order to implement the court’s ruling of February 1, within proper rules and procedure, and that the Chief Justice has advised the Administration to follow due process.
The Attorney General also said that the Prosecutor General’s Office has apprised the Supreme Court of the numerous legal challenges in the implementation of the ruling.
(The featured image at the top shows the Chief Justice of the Maldivian Supreme Court Abdullah Saeed with President Abdulla Yameen )