Court orders reinstatement of SPG officer

The Civil Court has ordered the reinstatement of Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)'s Special Protection Group (SPG) officer Ahmed Fa’thaah, who was dismissed following the controversial February 1 order in 2018.

While Fa’thaah had filed the case against MNDF at the court in January 2019, it on Wednesday ruled that he was dismissed unlawfully.

The court ruled to reinstate the officer, and to give him salaries worth one year as a compensation. As such, he is to be given MVR 183,720 including Ramadan allowance, within a one-month period.

Fa’thaah was dismissed over allegations of attempting a coup within the army to topple former President Abdulla Yameen’s government. He was suspended and held in custody for 14 days before being dismissed on 18th August 2018.

The SPG officer was on incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s security team at the time of dismissal. Solih was a presidential candidate then.

The case headed to trial after both parties failed to reach an agreement during the dispute resolution stage.

While he had sought compensation from the day of his dismissal to the court ruling, the state stressed that they are only about to provide a year’s worth.

SPG officers Ahmed Shaaneez and Simadh Ahmed who were also dismissed along with Fa’thaah had filed cases at the Civil Court, and their cases concluded last year. The court had ordered their reinstatement, as well as a compensation.