President Muizzu Criticizes Former President Yameen: Judges Were Kidnapped and Taken Hostage in Their Sleep During His Administration!
19 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ހޮނިހިރު 08:06President Muizzu has strongly criticized the actions of a previous administration for arresting judges and interfering with the judiciary, while reaffirming his commitment to judicial independence. Assuring that his government will not exert any influence over the legal system, the President emphasized that maintaining the autonomy of the courts is essential for ensuring the fair administration of justice.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (L) and former President Abdulla Yameen (R) exchange greetings. | President's Office
Speaking on the independence of the judiciary, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has strongly criticized the events that took place during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the PNC Congress on Friday night, President Muizzu stated that justice is a concept with profound depth. He emphasized that for a government to rule with integrity and justice, the judiciary must remain independent.
He highlighted that the country has previously witnessed instances where judges were kidnapped and taken hostage while resting in their homes, as well as the arrest and imprisonment of sitting Supreme Court justices after the roof of the court building was forcibly removed.
Recalling the period when the Chief Justice, Supreme Court justices, and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom were imprisoned, President Muizzu stated that he visited them to check on their well-being following requests from several cabinet ministers. He noted that he personally witnessed the Chief Justice and other judges enduring difficult conditions while held in small cells.
It was a deeply unsettling feeling for me; here stands a leader who governed this nation for 30 years. A person who has rendered immense service and was the commander who saved the country during the events of November 3rd.President Muizzu
President Muizzu stated that he ensured the independence of the judiciary on the very day he assumed office on November 17, 2023, and maintained that the government has not exerted any influence over the judicial branch to this day.
President Muizzu’s remarks come in light of events that took place during former President Yameen’s administration. During that period, all opposition political leaders who held dissenting views were imprisoned. Furthermore, press freedom was severely restricted, with media outlets and individual journalists facing heavy financial penalties.
Following the Supreme Court order issued on February 1, 2018, a state of emergency was declared, leading to the arrest of several judges. On February 6, 2018, military forces forcibly entered the Supreme Court building by removing roof tiles to arrest then-Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and the court's most senior justice at the time, Ali Hameed.
While President Muizzu has now spoken out regarding the events that transpired during former President Yameen’s administration, he served as the Housing Minister at the time and was a vocal defender of that government. Furthermore, President Muizzu rose to power on the ticket of Yameen’s then-party, PPM, campaigning prominently alongside Yameen’s image.
