Self-exiled former Vice President of the current administration, Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed that the statements issued ‘in Supreme Court’s name are a farce designed to confuse and complicate military’s unconstitutional and illegal conduct’.

He said this in a tweet on Sunday night, where he emphasized that the world ‘must realize that the Maldives Supreme Court has been overtaken by the military, with the Chief Justice and another top judge in custody’.

His comments are directed towards Supreme Court issuing a temporary injunction on the enforcement of its own ruling issued on 1^st February, over the validity of the parliamentary seats of the 12 oppositon lawmakers that were dismissed by the Elections Commission in 2017.

Sunday’s court ruling came hours after it was announced that an extraordinary parliament sitting will be held on Monday morning, where the government is to submit its decision to declare a state of emergency.

Incumbent President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency on 5^th February, after refusing to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling issued on 1^st February. While the ruling ordered the immediate release of nine high-profile prisoners, the President had noted various issues with this part of the ruling. Prior to Sunday evening, there had been no mention of any issues regarding the reinstatement of the 12 lawmakers.

Article 257 (a) of the Constitution states that “the declaration of a state of emergency shall be submitted to the People’s Majlis within forty-eight hours. If the People’s Majlis is not in session at the time of the declaration, it shall be re-called within fourteen days, inclusive of holidays, and the declaration of a state of emergency submitted to the People’s Majlis for approval”.