State prosecutors have claimed that Civil Court cannot review the case filed by Ecocare Maldives, against Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and Environment Ministry.

Speaking to RaajjeMV about the hearing held on Sunday in Civil Court, Ecocare lawyer said that state lawyers had raised procedural issues, citing laws on Courts. As such, the state lawyer had argued that the case can only be reviewed by Kulhudhuffushi Magistrate Court.

The next hearing of the case, where Ecocare will have to respond to the procedural issues raised, will be held on Thursday.

The lawyer noted that previously Kulhudhuffushi Magistrate Court had thrown out a case filed by a citizen of the island. The citizen had filed for a temporary injunction to halt the reclamation of the mangrove in the island. However, the Court had ruled against.

The lawyer said reclaiming of the mangrove and construction of the airport was going ahead against principles and procedures set by both EPA and Ministry. As such, the lawyer maintained these procedures had been willfully ignored by the two bodies.

Ecocare had filed for a stay order on all procedures and processes involving the reclamation of mangrove and construction of airport in the island, citing that procedures set by the two bodies were not being followed.