Conviction of SC Justices and ex-president 'calls into question' capacity for fair elections: US Department of State

The United States of America is ‘dismayed’ by the conviction of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Supreme Court justices, a statement from their Department of State has said.

A statement by department spokesperson Heather Nauert said that the conviction casts doubt as to whether the upcoming presidential elections will be free and fair.

“This outcome casts serious doubt on the commitment of the Government of Maldives to the rule of law and calls into question its willingness to permit a free and fair presidential election in September that reflects the will of the Maldivian people”, the statement read.

The US Department of State also called on the Maldivian government to ensure the mechanisms of state are ‘proper functioning’ and to abide by Maldives’ international commitments.

“Uphold the rule of law, respect the constitutionally-guaranteed legal protections and rights of all Maldivians, permit the full and proper functioning of the parliament and judiciary, and abide by Maldives’ international human rights obligations and commitments”

Canadian ambassador David McKinnon and the government of India have also called the trial ‘unfair’ and called on the Maldivian government to ensure judicial independence.

A Criminal Court judge on Wednesday sentenced Maumoon and Supreme Court chief justice Abdulla Saeed and justice Ali Hameed to a year and more in prison.

Judge Hassan Najeeb found Maumoon and the top court adjudicators to be guilty of obstructing justice; for being in possession of their mobile phone devices but refusing to hand it over to the police.

While the trial proceedings for bribery and terror charges against the trio are also ongoing, which are also described as 'unfair and unsubstantial', Maumoon had protested his sentence on Wednesday.

In court on Wednesday, Maumoon had said that testimonies from his witnesses show that he had attempted to hand over the phone. However, the judge had earlier decided not to accept witness testimonies from the defendants.

The former strongman, a certified scholar with a background in Islamic jurisprudence, also said witness testimonies provided anonymously are not admissible or even permitted in Islamic law.