'For the sake of all Maldivians' politicians should not interfere in trials, says Ambassador Dauris
Ambassador Dauris has been heavily vocal about the political tension in the country
(far left) Ambassador James Dauris photographed while travelling alongside members of a local atoll council
British Ambassador James Dauris has highlighted the importance of ensuring that judicial mechanisms remain independent and the ‘rights of prisoners are respected’, given the situation in the Maldives.
Ambassador Dauris, who has been heavily vocal about the political tension in the country, said this in a post on his Twitter account.
Dauris’ expression of these sentiments come while the high-profile trials against two Supreme Court justices and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom are ongoing.
At the last hearing for the allegations made against him, Gayoom – who was Maldives’ strongman for thirty years – pled with the judge to give him leave from incarceration.
Gayoom, made the plea due to his ‘deteriorating health’. The octogenarian is facing charges of conspiring to overthrow the government, bribery, obstruction, and destroying evidence.
Lawyers of Supreme Court justices Abdulla Saeed and Ali Hameed have also made allegations of foul play against authorities. Justice Abdulla Saeed’s lawyer had even discovered an audio recording device under her chair during a meeting between them.
