Acting police commissioner thanks officers for their work in ensuring the safety and stability of the nation

Acting Police Commissioner Abdulla Nawaz has thanked officers “for their work in maintaining the stability and security of the nation”.

Nawaz met with officers and other staff members of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) on Wednesday night.

MPS said that at the meeting, the acting commissioner assured them of the government’s work to improve the welfare of police officers.

The meeting comes at a time when the institution has been facing backlash for refusing to implement the orders of the Supreme Court, Prosecutor General and the Attorney General.

While a state of emergency was declared in the Maldives on 5th February, parliament passed to extend it in a vote held without the required quorum.

Hence PG Aishath Bisham has said she does not believe that the state of emergency extension is constitutional, and had informed the police to released those arrested under the declaration. However, the Maldives Police Service is yet to do so.

While the police and military continue to follow the orders of incumbent President Abdulla Yameen, he had previously said that “in such a situation, there is no need for the police and the military to check if [my] orders are unlawful”.

Nawaz was appointed as acting police commissioner on 3rd February, three days after the Supreme Court issued its controversial ruling ordering the release of high-profile prisoners.

While then police commissioner Ahmed Areef had attempted to implement the court order, he was fired immediately for allegedly failing to answer the President’s call. His deputy, Ahmed Saudhee was appointed as Commissioner, only to be dismissed two days later.